Why cry for Boehner? He'll end up on the multi-million dollar lobbying circuit soon enough.
28
Mr. Krugmam. Since you are so proud of ACA,I must conclude you are a partisan liberal. I am a surgeon practiced in U.S. For over 30 yr,2 of my children followed my step became surgeons. I am still in active practice but the one thing brother me the most is how poor and expensive health care system this great country has.I was born in Taiwan and finished my medical school there. More than 20 years ago,in Taiwan,very high percentage of people have no medical insurance.You will be turned down in the ER if you have no insurance or cash. The blue prints of Hillary Care was implementated in Taiwan right after HRC not able to do it in U.S. Mr. Kurgan,I am sure you know how efficient and inexpensive the health care system worked in Taiwan for the last 20 years.Prisident Obama's ACA accomplished so little and cost our country so much,it is a shame to even brag about it.
28
Wow, your first paragraph says it all. The R's have done immense damage to this country and have not been punished by the voters. When will they wake up?
41
The Pope had no better luck in Argentina, where almost everyone is white and nearly everyone is Roman Catholic.
2
Maybe it's time for a third party that will leave the right wing crazies behind and pick up votes from moderates disillusioned with the cronyism and self-interest of many Democrats.
11
I am happy at least Boehner called out the "crazies" in his interview with Face the Nation. Kasich also called them out. But as the article says, " reason and facts don't matter " to the far right nut jobs.
33
So, Paul; flash forward to September 2015. Last I looked, unemployment was somewhere south of 5.5% (again, we won't let that pesky labor participation rate bother a bunch of good liberals). If as you suggest, 2009 required TEMPORARY deficit spending, are you now arguing for closing the deficit? If so, by what means? Please tell me it's not all new taxes and reduced military spending - what programs that you hold dear are you willing to cut in this new age of economic prosperity? Or, am I missing something? Could it be that you favor deficit spending as far as the eye can see until inflation returns? Be good to know...
7
Americans are bomb throwers. Both literally and figuratively. They are failures in the Middle East with ISIS & ISIL, having created the problems. It's like the mentally disturbed parent who has a depressed child and is going to beat it out of him with a strap. Then they use the system to blame the parent and really don't care about the child but see an opportunity for power.
12
Maybe Boehner could get a job with Volkswagen, fraud being his specialty and all.
16
Two points:
Look in the mirror Mr. Krugman...the venom you spew towards the Speaker of the House reeks of the same behavior you so righteously complain of. You belong in Congress-you clearly can not talk sensibly with people who don't agree with your mantras and would make a perfect obstructionist.
Mr. Boehner-is a decent, honest family man. I've known him since 1994. He in fact can compromise and has done so, until the Tea Party wing won so many House seats by elections, in case you forgot. Even Democrats in his district who know him, while they may disagree with some or many of his views, respect his honesty and absence of scandal. I know you have to be outrageous to keep your readership up so you can justify you money, but your article was inaccurate as to the type of person Boehner is. Disagree with his positions, but don't ignore his decency.
Also, a great pix that was in the NYT a few years ago says so much about the sad state of Congress and politics in our country. But since it doesn't fit within your view of Boehner you will of course ignore it. During the middle of the heated debate over Obamacare, Nancy Pelosi and Boehner are photographed leaving a Georgetown restaurant after dinner together, arm-in-arm, smiling at each other. While the press coverage told us they were locked in mortal combat over Obamacare, this picture blew that theory up. You should check it out. Both parties are playing us.
Look in the mirror Mr. Krugman...the venom you spew towards the Speaker of the House reeks of the same behavior you so righteously complain of. You belong in Congress-you clearly can not talk sensibly with people who don't agree with your mantras and would make a perfect obstructionist.
Mr. Boehner-is a decent, honest family man. I've known him since 1994. He in fact can compromise and has done so, until the Tea Party wing won so many House seats by elections, in case you forgot. Even Democrats in his district who know him, while they may disagree with some or many of his views, respect his honesty and absence of scandal. I know you have to be outrageous to keep your readership up so you can justify you money, but your article was inaccurate as to the type of person Boehner is. Disagree with his positions, but don't ignore his decency.
Also, a great pix that was in the NYT a few years ago says so much about the sad state of Congress and politics in our country. But since it doesn't fit within your view of Boehner you will of course ignore it. During the middle of the heated debate over Obamacare, Nancy Pelosi and Boehner are photographed leaving a Georgetown restaurant after dinner together, arm-in-arm, smiling at each other. While the press coverage told us they were locked in mortal combat over Obamacare, this picture blew that theory up. You should check it out. Both parties are playing us.
9
As long as you have Fox News and crazy right wing radio fueling the flames of madness with crazy Propaganda then the fever will not abate. It starts and ends with the right wing media and at some point the rest of the media needs to call them out.
33
I have written to Boehner a few times over the last couple of years.
Once was during the shutdown and his plead to end his belief that being held hostage was far easier than having the courage to stand up to the paid Tea Party Terrorists who's agenda is to serve the wealthiest Americans.
Ted Cruz held an entire party hostage along and the Dem Senate because he believed Americans did not deserve Healthcare but yet we do deserve to pay for theirs. (Congress). How entitled one must be to deserve free healthcare on the tax payers then hand them a 24 billion dollar bill rubber stamped by Boehner.
I mentioned to Boehner if he continues down this road and now allowing Dodd Frank to be dismantled despite it's ability to stop the Recessions bleeding...he would go down in history as a Coward.
When a man is more concerned with his Terrorist money over the welfare of a Country then his legacy will be one mired in Cowardice and Pride over leadership.
Good luck John, it's too bad you left things this way. You had a chance and you blew it. Holding things at bay is not leadership...it's weakness. I hope you enjoy the rest of your life on the back nine.
Once was during the shutdown and his plead to end his belief that being held hostage was far easier than having the courage to stand up to the paid Tea Party Terrorists who's agenda is to serve the wealthiest Americans.
Ted Cruz held an entire party hostage along and the Dem Senate because he believed Americans did not deserve Healthcare but yet we do deserve to pay for theirs. (Congress). How entitled one must be to deserve free healthcare on the tax payers then hand them a 24 billion dollar bill rubber stamped by Boehner.
I mentioned to Boehner if he continues down this road and now allowing Dodd Frank to be dismantled despite it's ability to stop the Recessions bleeding...he would go down in history as a Coward.
When a man is more concerned with his Terrorist money over the welfare of a Country then his legacy will be one mired in Cowardice and Pride over leadership.
Good luck John, it's too bad you left things this way. You had a chance and you blew it. Holding things at bay is not leadership...it's weakness. I hope you enjoy the rest of your life on the back nine.
14
What is the point of columns like this? We get it - you do not like Republicans. John Boehner, Nancy Pelosi etc. do the best they can with divided government. You have the NYT pulpit so why not do some real analysis and offer original ideas?
6
Two comments about your so called “strong consensus” on how to help the economy.
1) The “consensus” stems from Keynesian economics. The most important and too often over looked quote from Mr. Keynes; when asked if his theories produce short term gains at the expense of long term losses he replied “Who cares about the long term? In the long term we will all be dead”. What I find very Ironic is that the only people who benefit in the long term from Keynesian economics is Wall Street, who will have future generations beholding to them, yet most of the people whose ideology supports deficit spending claim to be opposed to Wall Street. The bankers are laughing all the way to the bank.
2) A few centuries ago there was an even stronger consensus that the world is flat. A consensus proves nothing, it simple builds confidence on a thought, right or wrong. Worse it becomes a self-basting meatball that quickly excludes all other meatballs. And you article excludes the very real possibility that Keynesian economies is not the best for future generations.
When a group in congress holds up a large bill until they get some small part of the bill changed, you call it “blackmail when the group is supporting something you do not like, but when the group is not then it is called “seeking compromise”? Call it what you will the practice has been occurring in congress for centuries, by both sides of the aisle.
1) The “consensus” stems from Keynesian economics. The most important and too often over looked quote from Mr. Keynes; when asked if his theories produce short term gains at the expense of long term losses he replied “Who cares about the long term? In the long term we will all be dead”. What I find very Ironic is that the only people who benefit in the long term from Keynesian economics is Wall Street, who will have future generations beholding to them, yet most of the people whose ideology supports deficit spending claim to be opposed to Wall Street. The bankers are laughing all the way to the bank.
2) A few centuries ago there was an even stronger consensus that the world is flat. A consensus proves nothing, it simple builds confidence on a thought, right or wrong. Worse it becomes a self-basting meatball that quickly excludes all other meatballs. And you article excludes the very real possibility that Keynesian economies is not the best for future generations.
When a group in congress holds up a large bill until they get some small part of the bill changed, you call it “blackmail when the group is supporting something you do not like, but when the group is not then it is called “seeking compromise”? Call it what you will the practice has been occurring in congress for centuries, by both sides of the aisle.
6
I have to actually laugh at not only this so called opinion but all of the uninformed Democratic (Socialist) people. Lets all blame the Republicans for everything shall we? The President doesn't get his way and threatens to shut down the government? It's the Republicans fault. American citizens are being murdered in the streets of our country by illegal immigrants who have no business here....its the Republicans fault. 93 million people are no longer in the workforce and REAL unemployment at 15%? Its the Republicans fault.....wages and household income is rapidly dropping because low wage and low skilled workers are flooding across our open borders......its the Republicans fault. Babies are being murdered through abortion.....its the Republicans fault. Record numbers of people are living off the taxpayer dole through welfare, food stamps and anyone of the myriad of programs they get....its the Republicans fault. Democrats controlled both houses and the Presidents office for 2 years and did nothing.....its the Republicans fault. There is more division in this country then I have ever seen in my lifetime.....its the Republicans fault. Jobs leaving the country because of over regulation and the highest tax rate in the world.......its the Republicans fault. Hillary Clinton is a criminal who should be looking at prison time instead of the Presidency.......its the Republicans fault. Democratic stupidity at its finest.
9
I remember when Boehner visited Israel recently and came back blaming Obama for Netanyahu's race baiting comments during the Israeli elections.
And this person is supposed to be to liberal for the current mainstream of the Republican part !
And this person is supposed to be to liberal for the current mainstream of the Republican part !
8
A resented PHD will ALWAYS blame anybody but the real responsible for the bad economy we are going through, BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA !...the punk insists on borrowing more, and more money, a certain way to destroy our Capitalist system; and the 'professors' who poison our kids minds with liberal caca, resented for not making as much $ as they THINK they deserve, are happy to join the destruction.
6
Dr. Krugman, it is about time that you dropped your disguise as an economist and came out for who you really are; a propagandist for the progressive wing of the Democratic party.
11
If the ideas and leadership being put forth by today's GOP were really as bad as all of Krugman's venom and so many of the comments in this forum suggest, there shouldn't be any problem getting Hillary or Bernie safely into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in 2016, right? I mean, if the sensible left of our country was able to get an unaccomplished community organizer with two inconsequential years in the Senate elected president AND if things are THAT much ideologically worse for the GOP now than they were 7 years ago then next year's election should be a cakewalk, shouldn't it?
Didn't think so.
The question, then, is why would that be? It couldn't possibly be that the whole idea of the 'radicalization' of the GOP is a rhetorical canard being pushed by an evermore desperate Democratic left trying, somehow, in the face of 6 1/2 years of American decline at home and abroad with one of its anointed heroes in the White house, to convince the nation that its ideas actually.. well.. work, and that the country is actually.. well.. better off with left-leaning leadership, could it?
Nah, couldn't be. It HAS to be the fault of those crazy Republicans, it just HAS to.
Didn't think so.
The question, then, is why would that be? It couldn't possibly be that the whole idea of the 'radicalization' of the GOP is a rhetorical canard being pushed by an evermore desperate Democratic left trying, somehow, in the face of 6 1/2 years of American decline at home and abroad with one of its anointed heroes in the White house, to convince the nation that its ideas actually.. well.. work, and that the country is actually.. well.. better off with left-leaning leadership, could it?
Nah, couldn't be. It HAS to be the fault of those crazy Republicans, it just HAS to.
8
Republicans oppose prosperity.
11
Whom the Gods would destroy, they first make mad.
7
Republicans have basically been, for the past eight years, traitors, and starting with the Speaker, should be treated as such, along with their Fox News, Clear Channel, Koch Brothers co-conspirators.
20
John Stewart said it best when he stated (I paraphrase) "Fox News enabled talk radio politics to go mainstream." Boehner's resignation won't change anything. In fact, things will get worse before they get better. The Rupert Murdochs, Rush Limbaughs, Mark Levins, and legions of other right-wing entertainers still call the shots and view Democrats not as people who disagree with them, but rather see them as "evil" and thus illegitimate.
Take a step back and think about what their horrible influence in politics have wrought: 9/11, the illegal invasion of Iraq for oil, ISIS, Citizen's United, inaction with regards to climate change (in the face of overwhelming evidence), a stymied economy, crumbling infrastructure, mass unemployment and under employment.
When will the legit news media and American people wake up and see the GOP for the lunatics they are?
Take a step back and think about what their horrible influence in politics have wrought: 9/11, the illegal invasion of Iraq for oil, ISIS, Citizen's United, inaction with regards to climate change (in the face of overwhelming evidence), a stymied economy, crumbling infrastructure, mass unemployment and under employment.
When will the legit news media and American people wake up and see the GOP for the lunatics they are?
27
I think Papa Francisco heard his confession and resigning was his required act of contrition to help the poor and the hungry whom Johnny loved to kick in the teeth whenever possible. And certainly don't cry for Mr. Boehner, as he cries enough for all of us. I am sure he is better at keeping bar than he is at keeping House anyway. Adieu.
14
The blame, unfortunately, should fall on the DEMOCRATIC base for failing to turn out to vote in Obama's midterm elections -- twice. In them, the GOP gained control of both Houses of Congress and so the idea that irresponsible sniping is somehow the same as governing has taken root among conservatives who really ought to know better. I was speaking last week with a very conservative gentleman who was outraged by the Planned Parenthood video but said that to shut down a government that spends trillions of dollars over a half billion dollar line item was "insanity." I doubt I agree with him on much, but we do share a desire to see the government function. Too many in the GOP would call him a RINO. A midterm shellacking is needed or this kind of nonsense is going to go on for decades.
11
You can not argue with krugman. So when he is on video saying yes Obama care will need to have death panels, who am I to disagree with Krugman. Apparently Plain was right
3
At a time when everyone else is extolling Speaker Boehner for his steady hand and responsible leadership, trust Dr. Krugman to call a spade a spade.
11
Those Planned Parenthood videos are truthy and everyone that thinks should know it! Clearly all of the GOP Presidential candidates think they are truthy -- so if they cannot be used to close down the government, it must be an obstructionist like Boehner that is behind it.
This train has been off the rails for at least five years. I am glad John Boehner will finally have some time to work on his fading tan. Lord help us all to survive the next year or two! It will get ugly!
This train has been off the rails for at least five years. I am glad John Boehner will finally have some time to work on his fading tan. Lord help us all to survive the next year or two! It will get ugly!
2
I don't see Boehner in the frame that Krugman places him. I see him as knowing better, but being forced into many of these boneheaded maneuvers by the tea party and its extreme right precursor.
The republican party today seems increasingly like Mao's China. It doesn't matter how strong your ideas or skills are, what's important is how idealogically pure you are as a republican/communist.
The republican party today seems increasingly like Mao's China. It doesn't matter how strong your ideas or skills are, what's important is how idealogically pure you are as a republican/communist.
3
Mr. Krugman, about 95% of your Times readers agree with you on most things. A column on the speaker weeper just gives a chance to sum up our usual views, now intensified as the campaign marches on....and on...and on.
We need more than just shooting Gop fish in a barrel. When are you going to, dare I say it, discuss all the Dem candidates' various proposals, pro/con. Re taxes, Wall St, health care, regulation, education costs, etc. And I don't just mean Hillary. You will be forced to when the long-delayed Dem debates start. Oct is almost here.
We need to discuss the differences the Dems have with each other, not just how destructive the Gop is. The Gop is organized, well financed by super rich and in lock step. Their outrageous proposals sets the national debate and pundits are kept busy.
What do you think of the positive proposals of the Dems? Are some of them too 'left wing' sounding to the main media? Or not 'left wing' enough? How do they appeal to the mass of citizens, besides the rw crazies driving the Gop primary? Such a small % of our population is driving such a big portion of our politics---and the media coverage.
As Andy Borowitz said, we thank the Pope for taking our media coverage away from Trump, if even for a few days.
We need more than just shooting Gop fish in a barrel. When are you going to, dare I say it, discuss all the Dem candidates' various proposals, pro/con. Re taxes, Wall St, health care, regulation, education costs, etc. And I don't just mean Hillary. You will be forced to when the long-delayed Dem debates start. Oct is almost here.
We need to discuss the differences the Dems have with each other, not just how destructive the Gop is. The Gop is organized, well financed by super rich and in lock step. Their outrageous proposals sets the national debate and pundits are kept busy.
What do you think of the positive proposals of the Dems? Are some of them too 'left wing' sounding to the main media? Or not 'left wing' enough? How do they appeal to the mass of citizens, besides the rw crazies driving the Gop primary? Such a small % of our population is driving such a big portion of our politics---and the media coverage.
As Andy Borowitz said, we thank the Pope for taking our media coverage away from Trump, if even for a few days.
5
I guess Krugman is one of the many reasons NYT readership has gone straight down the tubes. If the GOP is so "mad" as he put it, why does America keep voting them in and tossing out the liberals in every place but the Northeast and Northwest? Could it be that it is actually the Democrats who are damaging the country with intent?
6
Heard Mr. McCarthy on the radio today. Oh, my. He characterized Obama as a failed leader. blah, blah, blah. Just more of the same which we know is the definition of insanity.
There is no way to live with these guys. The only solution is to vote them out. And that's where the money comes in. The billionaires will spend whatever it takes to sabotage the country because, I believe, they don't care about America. The world is their oyster.
Unless and until we rise up and repudiate all this, we are doomed.
There is no way to live with these guys. The only solution is to vote them out. And that's where the money comes in. The billionaires will spend whatever it takes to sabotage the country because, I believe, they don't care about America. The world is their oyster.
Unless and until we rise up and repudiate all this, we are doomed.
16
Mr. Krugman, your "spin" will work only on the uninformed.
1. The 2008 raid on the US Treasury was probably the biggest bank robbery the world has ever known (and yes, the Republicans were part of that robbery).
2. The US Treasury Department (under the leadership of Mr. Timothy Geithner) appears to have directed billions of dollars to many "interests" that were not "The American people". (Then I read [in one of their own press releases, I believe] that they "kicked out" some millions to certain American business interests.)
3. Many of your friends seem to want to use the USA as a "cash cow" - - to get money to support their international interests (leaving many Americans jobless, homeless, and sometimes almost hopeless).
4. You support Planned Parenthood's killing of American babies (in the womb).
5. You support various other unGodly activities.
You want to call others "crazies" and otherwise put down their attempts to bring some sanity to our national policies. What is more "crazy" than killing your own children?
www.ltgof.net
1. The 2008 raid on the US Treasury was probably the biggest bank robbery the world has ever known (and yes, the Republicans were part of that robbery).
2. The US Treasury Department (under the leadership of Mr. Timothy Geithner) appears to have directed billions of dollars to many "interests" that were not "The American people". (Then I read [in one of their own press releases, I believe] that they "kicked out" some millions to certain American business interests.)
3. Many of your friends seem to want to use the USA as a "cash cow" - - to get money to support their international interests (leaving many Americans jobless, homeless, and sometimes almost hopeless).
4. You support Planned Parenthood's killing of American babies (in the womb).
5. You support various other unGodly activities.
You want to call others "crazies" and otherwise put down their attempts to bring some sanity to our national policies. What is more "crazy" than killing your own children?
www.ltgof.net
7
Brilliant analysis, Dr. Krugman.
A lot of us are terrified.
A lot of us are crying for America and for Americans.
A lot of us are terrified.
A lot of us are crying for America and for Americans.
10
I think much of the vitriol from the left has to do with Hillary being one step away from indictment, followed by a 74 year-old socialist, followed by . . . . no one. Desperation is never pretty.
15
Maybe I'm soft, but I truly feel for Speaker Boehner. After a long and admirable career in the House, he finally reaches the top spot only to find out that his majority has gone off the deep end. Speaker Boehner may have had a terrible run in the past few years, but is it really all his fault? Abraham Lincoln couldn't lead this unruly and overly ambitious group of congressmen.
3
Any government that is for the government against the working citizenry is an unacceptable one in a democratic republic. John Boenher is just another symptom of a system that has for too long rewarded thuggery and self service. Mr. B. and Mr. Mc. have been complicit with the big government socialist dreams of the "Ruling Class". History is replete with the slavery by any other name caste systems of most governments... Call it Social Democracy, Socialism, Communism, National Socialism... it is always a Me...ocracy for a small elite group at the expense of the working citizen.
4
But, I don't understand how he could live with himself, as people lost their jobs. Those Republicans are just mean.
8
And Boehner's parting gift to the American people is his full exhaustive investigation- on the taxpayers dime!- of Planned! Parenthood. Welcome back to the Salem witch trials circa 17th century. Same male judges judging those uppity women. Can't use Blacks or Latinos to blackmail the government but yeah poor women will do just nicely. Watch them beg and plead for mercy for their crime of wanting health care and control of their own bodies just like men have. Uppity for sure. Get those bonfires going.
27
The Republican base and its leaders are enraged that an African-American was elected president and had the audacity to do a good job, something they know they could never accomplish. Jealousy, constantly stirred up, is a powerful motivator.
23
The goal of the Republican Party is to get average Americans to agree to changing "We the People" working together to "Survival of the Fittest buddy, You're on Your Own".
The richest of the rich are fine with that, and ufortunately, the wannabe richest are willing to give up working together.
Greed, fear, and selfishness are the fuel of the Republican.
The richest of the rich are fine with that, and ufortunately, the wannabe richest are willing to give up working together.
Greed, fear, and selfishness are the fuel of the Republican.
17
I'm sure this has been said before elsewhere, but the GOP establishment leadership that cozied up to the Tea Party constituents in 2009/2010 within their midst should go back and read "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie," but I guess since that book meets today's Common Core standards it has to be ignored at all costs lest the taint of common knowledge (and common sense) deviate them from their seemingly professed mission of oblivion.
7
If President Obama said that the sun is hot and water is wet, the Right-Wing-GOP would vehemently disagree.
16
Paul Krugman, is about as competent at economics as as "climate scientists" are at science. His original prediction was that for every 200 billion dollars in stimulus spent, the unemployment rate would drop by 1%. After 800 billion had been burned up and the unemployment rate didn't drop at all, Krugman "amended" his theory to require that we spend at least 1.5 trillion for his dreams to come true.....knowing, of course, that we'd never spend 1.5 trillion so THAT wouldn't be proven wrong. He's a charlatan and a child (witness the way he writes "a terrible, very bad, no good speaker"). And he's never admitted that Democrat policies toward the mortgage banking industry are what caused the financial crash in the first place.....so he has no credibility.
6
True to form, the GOP is refusing delivery of any blame in Mr. Boehner's departure. Instead, there has been increased chatter about how they need to elect a conservative president.
Republicans can not, or will not, grasp the fact that just because you have a majority it does not mean that you have real power, especially when internal divisions have fractured the party and driven it to impotence on a good day. So conservatives are doubling-down on their bets: "We want a conservative Speaker," "We want a conservative President," "We want ... we want ... we want ..." And if they don't get what they want they'll throw the mother of all tantrums and take down the government.
Enough! We know who the bums are who need to be thrown out; November 8, 2016, can't come too soon.
Republicans can not, or will not, grasp the fact that just because you have a majority it does not mean that you have real power, especially when internal divisions have fractured the party and driven it to impotence on a good day. So conservatives are doubling-down on their bets: "We want a conservative Speaker," "We want a conservative President," "We want ... we want ... we want ..." And if they don't get what they want they'll throw the mother of all tantrums and take down the government.
Enough! We know who the bums are who need to be thrown out; November 8, 2016, can't come too soon.
11
If only the pope could meet with all the other Republican lawmakers.
6
I heard Marco Rubio suggest, on NPR this morning, that the democrats were willing to shut down the government over funding for one organization. Talk about spin! He was seemingly unaware that, instead, this is what his party is doing. More of the same. If we can't get our way through appropriate means, there's always the threat of a government shut down.
10
All the while the Democrats sit back and just take it on the chin.
What a different world we would have if the Democratic party actually knew how to FIGHT a battle and win.
It's true. As contemptuous as the Republican Party is for it's belief in its own alternate reality, the Democrats do nothing to help set the record straight.
Democrats are also under the perverted belief that "for the good of the country" they compromise so willingly with Republicans. That only further harms the reality-based aspects of governance because we wind up compromising with insanity.
Democrats have to stop be the enablers of this dysfunctional arrangement.
What a different world we would have if the Democratic party actually knew how to FIGHT a battle and win.
It's true. As contemptuous as the Republican Party is for it's belief in its own alternate reality, the Democrats do nothing to help set the record straight.
Democrats are also under the perverted belief that "for the good of the country" they compromise so willingly with Republicans. That only further harms the reality-based aspects of governance because we wind up compromising with insanity.
Democrats have to stop be the enablers of this dysfunctional arrangement.
15
I remember when the 'birther' phenomena first appeared, Boehner was asked on Meet the Press whether he believed the President was born in the US and would he say loudly and clearly that this was a ridiculous notion and a falsehood. He said it was not his job to tell people what to think and they had to figure it out themselves. By not taking the bull by the horns eight years ago and adhering to facts - the way a serious leader should have - he and his ilk gave credence to a movement that has abandoned facts and reality altogether and caused his own downfall. He mad his bed and now he lies in it.
25
What planet is this guy on? Boehner did nothing to "obstruct" Obama's change agenda, that is the problem. Like Bob Grant used to say, Boehner consistently folded like a cheap camera and refused to use the power of the purse, the main legitimate constitutional tool at Congressional disposal, to turn back the tide of the ever increasing reach of Mordor.
3
This was know-nothing economics, and incredibly irresponsible at a time of crisis; not long ago it would have been hard to imagine a major political figure making such a statement. Did Mr. Boehner actually believe what he was saying?
Really, Dr. Krugman? Let's look at what Kennedy and Reagan both proposed and succeeded in implementing... Both tightened the government's belt and had the best recoveries we've seen in the industrial era. The only recovery that comes close was during the Clinton administration, where the Newt Gingrich led congress forced Clinton's hand with a veto proof vote on a budget...now Clinton's biggest bragging point.
Really, Dr. Krugman? Let's look at what Kennedy and Reagan both proposed and succeeded in implementing... Both tightened the government's belt and had the best recoveries we've seen in the industrial era. The only recovery that comes close was during the Clinton administration, where the Newt Gingrich led congress forced Clinton's hand with a veto proof vote on a budget...now Clinton's biggest bragging point.
3
The Republicans cut off the oxygen to their own base and for a while the euphoria was pleasant. Now come the convulsions and panic.
8
Thank you, Mr. Krugman, for once again providing us with a clear analysis of "know-nothing" economics, the unassailable linchpin of the 21st Century know-nothing Republican Party. I've passed it on to my daughter to use in countering a number of her twenty something friends, who, while they consider the GOP beyond crazy on social issues, continue to support its voodoo economics.
15
This all bools down to selfishness and greed.
The Republican party is a business and to them the country is a business opportunity. To them, getting control of government is getting the keys to the treasury.
What has the Republican Party done for "We the People" since the time of Ronald Reagan?
Bueller ?
The Republican party is a business and to them the country is a business opportunity. To them, getting control of government is getting the keys to the treasury.
What has the Republican Party done for "We the People" since the time of Ronald Reagan?
Bueller ?
8
John Boehner, a good man with whom I disagree on many points, quit, as he repeatedly stated, for the good of the institution (the House) and for his colleagues.
What does this mean?
It means that he did not wish to put his party through another battle where the 'Freedom Caucus', aka the Tea Party hard right, would threaten to primary anyone who voted for Boehner.
As the Speaker said, he would win the battle; but how many people would then walk away wounded and maybe face a primary death?
Not to mention the wounds that would be endured if they responsibly voted to keep the government open.
As usual, it's all about power and not about the common good.
Boehner deserves credit for thinking about the institution and his Party.
What does this mean?
It means that he did not wish to put his party through another battle where the 'Freedom Caucus', aka the Tea Party hard right, would threaten to primary anyone who voted for Boehner.
As the Speaker said, he would win the battle; but how many people would then walk away wounded and maybe face a primary death?
Not to mention the wounds that would be endured if they responsibly voted to keep the government open.
As usual, it's all about power and not about the common good.
Boehner deserves credit for thinking about the institution and his Party.
2
What we have here is a majority Congress whose sole purpose in entering into government was to take down government. If you buy into my observation here, then there is hope. Hope because it's a Ponsi scheme of sorts where a whole lot of people get rich trying to privatize everything. And that very 1% may well be at 2% by now since they have found ways to deflect their responsibility to their citizenship and their planet. But Ponsi schemes always find their way back around to implosion. And this one is about to go down. When The Donald and Bernie Sanders can agree on universal healthcare, you gotta know that something's gotta give...
6
All that being said, lets not forget that Barry has overseen his party suffer historic loses at all levels of Government; Local; State and Federal. I see no reason that 2016 should be any different.
2
Its happening may be improbable, but the only hope is for what's left of the rational Republicans to caucus with the Democrats to elect Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House!
2
Not having enough votes means to sane people you don't have enough votes and realize that it's how our system works, but these people aren't dealing with a full deck. They are using all the money that the oligarchy can lay to bare and every lie and trick to get their way with a media that no longer reports the facts. We are doomed.
13
Thank goodness for Krugman. Boehner was a terrible speaker. He could have worked with Democrats. He could have halted the 50 plus votes to abolish the ACA. He did not. The only thing that he cared about was the Republican Part and himself.
Let us not forget that he was a member of the Gang of Seven that created with Gingrich the Contract with America which led to confrontational politics and two shutdowns of government during the Clinton years. Like Robespierre in the French Revolution, who helped create the Reign of Terror that eventually led to his execution, Boehner was the author of his own destruction.
Let us not forget that he was a member of the Gang of Seven that created with Gingrich the Contract with America which led to confrontational politics and two shutdowns of government during the Clinton years. Like Robespierre in the French Revolution, who helped create the Reign of Terror that eventually led to his execution, Boehner was the author of his own destruction.
12
One of the problems is that the Tea Party wing of the Republican Party does not believe in government and cares nothing about governing, and has problems with facts and reality. Democrats both in the Congress and President Obama take governing seriously. This prevents the Democrats from allowing the Republicans chickens coming home to roost.
14
Krugman was trained in Keynesian economics, which is actually the cause of most Macroeconomic problems around the world. That being said. Mr. Krugman himself shares some of the blame for any economic damage our nation/world has endured simply by advocating for a system that was designed to fail.
4
It's astounding to me the ignorance on the extremist right. They seem to always refer to the Constitution, but the Constitution lays out the foundation for majority rule. Why then does a small group, obviously not in the majority, believe that they can have their way by throwing temper tantrums like a toddler...Give me what I want or I will scream until I turn blue (or shut down the government until you defund something or other). It is unrealistic, petty and juvenile to believe Obama or anyone else will give in to this.
If they want to enact their policies, then go out and convince people to VOTE for the people representing that philosophy. Attain majority rule. That would be the real way to adhere to the Constitution.
If they want to enact their policies, then go out and convince people to VOTE for the people representing that philosophy. Attain majority rule. That would be the real way to adhere to the Constitution.
6
Wow, the libs on this site crack me up. As if the Republican party is the only party who uses these tactics in Congress. Anyone ever hear for Harry Reed? Anyway, Dems and Reps are pretty much exactly the same, just beholden to different benefactors. Wake up folks, both parties are worthless.
1
Republicans blackmail because Democrats have barely the slightest clue of a concept of ever really fighting back. Democrats ask for an inch, Republicans demand a foot in return, and then Democrat finally say no after surrendering ten yards. And this happens over and over and over, and Democrats deny it, over and over and over. It's getting boring. A two party system of ignorant bullies versus cowards in denial.
8
On the way to work I was listening to NPR. Morning Addition was speaking with Marco Rubio. His response to the Government shutdown primarily falls on the President and the Democrats. Funding for Planned Parenthood needs to be cut off period. The GOP just needs to get their message out more and the American people would flock to their view point and blame the other party. Whether it is income inequality or cutting taxes on the rich they just keep trying to put a square peg in a round hole. The economy is stagnate and the infrastructure is suffering because of the GOP.
9
good article. Except I don't recall that John-boy Boehner was the author of the GOPer veto. Rather he was the ineffectual prisoner of a groundswell of GOPers handing Obama two failed wars (un)paid for by tax cuts (mostly) for the rich and the Second Great Depression. John, being a boy, did not use his leadership office to fight it. He went along.
8
Fanaticism in the GOP must be recognized for what it is. Extremists like Republican Senator Ted Cruz must be tamed, along with his radical followers who show no humility and even less compassionate intelligence for the common good. These are ominous parallels to other times in our history as humans.
7
Just after Boehner met with the Pope and had his grandchild blessed, he decided, according to an article I just read, that "it is the time to do it". It is what a lot of folks feared when Kennedy was president that the Vatican would have that much power, but here we are , a GOP House Speaker calling it quits based on some religious beliefs and the Pope telling congress to get over their differences.
But the whole business is indicative of how much the country has crossed over to religion deciding what are policies are, like same-sex marriage, abortion, war, budgets and much more including climate denial, lack of faith --yeah FAITH--in science. Wasn't that our problem 400 years ago? Are we about to start a new Inquisition?
Sure the GOP is incompetent as a political body but those of us who are now seeking a government run by any church are having this stuff pushed down out throats as though it was the law of the land. Besides getting money our of politics, we need to get religion out as well. That is why we have a separation of church and state built into the Constitution. We have suffered enough clerical abuse--in all ways.
But the whole business is indicative of how much the country has crossed over to religion deciding what are policies are, like same-sex marriage, abortion, war, budgets and much more including climate denial, lack of faith --yeah FAITH--in science. Wasn't that our problem 400 years ago? Are we about to start a new Inquisition?
Sure the GOP is incompetent as a political body but those of us who are now seeking a government run by any church are having this stuff pushed down out throats as though it was the law of the land. Besides getting money our of politics, we need to get religion out as well. That is why we have a separation of church and state built into the Constitution. We have suffered enough clerical abuse--in all ways.
9
With Boehner's retirement package he should be able to live a life of leisure most of us could only dream about. And yet pundits predict that he like others before him will cash in on the political influence machine to amass obscene amounts of wealth.
At what point is "enough wealth" achieved? I feel like I'm missing something.
At what point is "enough wealth" achieved? I feel like I'm missing something.
7
The people that see footage first are always the people which commissioned the film in the first place. After the Republicans had their viewing parties, the videos began to trickle out to great outrage and media coverage. It soon became evident the videos were tampered with and that the alleged illegal sales of fetal tissues by Planned Parenthood were false charges but, the right did not care.
Republicans knew from experience that many would never be debased from their beliefs in illegal activity by Planned Parenthood. Five states, including Indiana, and the HHS reviewed the tapes, did investigations of the charged illegal activities of Planned Parenthood and found no illegality. Indiana is important. Governor Mike Pence, as a US House member, led repeated efforts to defund Planned Parenthood. No one in Congress hated Planned Parenthood more than Rep. Pence.
Round Three of Republican Shutdown Roulette will be over the $550 million annual federal funding of Planned Parenthood; less than one half of one percent of the federal budget. Radical right wing House Republicans will use their ginned up “crisis’ to shut down the government.
If we have another shutdown, soldiers will work without pay, National Parks will close, kids’ cures will stop or be delayed and military families may not get their death benefits again. Republicans will grandstand again.
It appears Republicans and their supporters are willing to destroy America to save it.
Republicans knew from experience that many would never be debased from their beliefs in illegal activity by Planned Parenthood. Five states, including Indiana, and the HHS reviewed the tapes, did investigations of the charged illegal activities of Planned Parenthood and found no illegality. Indiana is important. Governor Mike Pence, as a US House member, led repeated efforts to defund Planned Parenthood. No one in Congress hated Planned Parenthood more than Rep. Pence.
Round Three of Republican Shutdown Roulette will be over the $550 million annual federal funding of Planned Parenthood; less than one half of one percent of the federal budget. Radical right wing House Republicans will use their ginned up “crisis’ to shut down the government.
If we have another shutdown, soldiers will work without pay, National Parks will close, kids’ cures will stop or be delayed and military families may not get their death benefits again. Republicans will grandstand again.
It appears Republicans and their supporters are willing to destroy America to save it.
10
Watching Boehner twitch, grimace, and weep during the Pope's speech outside on the Capitol balcony, I was certain that I would wake up the next morning to headlines blaring about Boehner's mental breakdown; it seemed clear to me that he was completely unhinged. Like the character in a MASH episode who is suspected of being a mentally unbalanced racist, and is finally carted off after he sings "Mississippi Mud" ,when Boehner sang "Zip A Dee Doo Dah" I was certain that concern over his mental state would be the catalyst for his resignation.
Acting like a placid, befuddled grandfather who babysits his snarling charges with benevolent disregard,Boehner has had no vision for this country, no goals to improve America's standing in the world, no answers to critical problems of poverty, homelessness, the strife of war. If his main goal was to have a pope, any pope, give a speech before Congress, it is clear that his agenda has always been merely a personal one and not for the benefit of all citizens.
I truly hope that one day we will leaders whose missions are to create an America to be a positive force of change, and whose eyes are not focused narrowly in the past, but are forward with global, humanitarian vision.
Acting like a placid, befuddled grandfather who babysits his snarling charges with benevolent disregard,Boehner has had no vision for this country, no goals to improve America's standing in the world, no answers to critical problems of poverty, homelessness, the strife of war. If his main goal was to have a pope, any pope, give a speech before Congress, it is clear that his agenda has always been merely a personal one and not for the benefit of all citizens.
I truly hope that one day we will leaders whose missions are to create an America to be a positive force of change, and whose eyes are not focused narrowly in the past, but are forward with global, humanitarian vision.
10
Yes, we must live with a G.O.P. gone mad—for now. But I'm not crying yet. If Democratic and independent candidates have any skills as communicators and organizers, we have a chance to move the needle in a favorable direction next time around. As the last two presidential elections showed, demographics favor the Democrats.
My 20-something sons often express frustration that things will never change. But give it a decade or two, and boy do they ever!
My 20-something sons often express frustration that things will never change. But give it a decade or two, and boy do they ever!
3
Demagogue feed on the fears and basest of instincts, greed, racism, sexism, bigotry, xenophobia, and this is what you get. It is a great way to get power by those who covet it.
Meanwhile an ever increasing population, denial, and further refusal to dal with it, global warming will kill the planet and all other problems will cease to exist.
Meanwhile an ever increasing population, denial, and further refusal to dal with it, global warming will kill the planet and all other problems will cease to exist.
5
And yet, we stand a pretty good chance of electing a Republican president in 2016. And while the Republicans only control the house because of extreme gerrymandering, slightly less than half of all voters cast their ballots for a Republican representative in 2012, and more than half the country voted for their brand of madness in 2014. As a country we are getting the government we asked for and clearly deserve.
1
Politics is a numbers game, one for which the Republican Party needs to hire a competent statistician. Tea Party Republicans are betting they can tap into anger, as Donald Trump has, to win the next election. Another failed strategy as they cannot win enough delegates to secure a nomination for any of their candidates. The numbers just aren't there.
So, all of this is handing the Democrats a major win just when the Republicans needed to pay it smart. I never fail to be amazed how hubris, anger and small thinking can (and will) result in another election loss for the party of the donkey.
So, all of this is handing the Democrats a major win just when the Republicans needed to pay it smart. I never fail to be amazed how hubris, anger and small thinking can (and will) result in another election loss for the party of the donkey.
I compare our congressional crisis to the current state of the Washington, D.C. Metro-rail system. Delays in doing repairs over a period of years resulting in long waits for trains, stops in the middle of the tunnels, jarring movements, lights-out, over-heated cars, higher costs to the system. Not much different than the mess on the Hill.
2
Blackmail is the threat of the release of compromising information. The irony is that the facts support the assertion that the "blackmailers" are actually the ones whose information is compromising - they are idiots.
A more appropriate title is "The Extortion Caucus" as extortion is obtaining a concession (money) by the use of threat. In this case the right is extorting money from the economy for the benefit of their plutocratic masters. The transfer of the wealth of this country from the middle-class to the weathly is the greatest crime of the 20th and 21st centuries.
A more appropriate title is "The Extortion Caucus" as extortion is obtaining a concession (money) by the use of threat. In this case the right is extorting money from the economy for the benefit of their plutocratic masters. The transfer of the wealth of this country from the middle-class to the weathly is the greatest crime of the 20th and 21st centuries.
8
"Or was he engaged in deliberate sabotage, trying to block measures that would help the economy because a bad economy would be good for Republican electoral prospects?"
Of course Boehner was deliberately sabotaging the American economy in the Republican efforts to make President Obama look bad.
I am so happy now that Boehner is going. He is one of the worst politicians ever put into office and the worst "Speaker".
Of course Boehner was deliberately sabotaging the American economy in the Republican efforts to make President Obama look bad.
I am so happy now that Boehner is going. He is one of the worst politicians ever put into office and the worst "Speaker".
8
I sometimes wonder what the framers of the Constitution would think about our current form of representative government.
New York and California. Two Senators each. Combined population, fifty eight million or so. North and South Dakota. Two Senators each. Combined population, one and a half million or so. Now add on the gerrymandering in the House districts.
If a majority of the voters, not the residents, but the voters in North and South Dakota happen to have a totally different national agenda than the voters in California and New York? And they elect representatives who declare they will not cooperate or compromise with the elected representatives from those and other states that don't share their agenda? Get the picture?
New York and California. Two Senators each. Combined population, fifty eight million or so. North and South Dakota. Two Senators each. Combined population, one and a half million or so. Now add on the gerrymandering in the House districts.
If a majority of the voters, not the residents, but the voters in North and South Dakota happen to have a totally different national agenda than the voters in California and New York? And they elect representatives who declare they will not cooperate or compromise with the elected representatives from those and other states that don't share their agenda? Get the picture?
6
Mr. Kugman could not pass high school civics. The House writes the budget. The President can make suggestion, but has no say other than a veto. The Senate get to amend the budget only with the agreement of the House. The House is responsible for the budget, and it was not a conservative document at any time during Boehner's tenure. It was not as liberal as Krugman would want, but it was not near what conservatives wanted. The Stimulus was an utter failure, and Krugman wished to add to it. Our grandchildren will be paying for it for a long time.
5
This column is one for the history books! Can you imagine a person in the future trying to understand what happened it the beginning of 21st Century US, then running into this piece that lays the central problem out so very clearly. "WOW! Look at what I just found!"
28
The real problem is never spoken out loud...unless you live in a Republican enclave filled with outraged, angry, bitter conservatives who hate blacks. I lived for the last 55 years in Central PA. I worked in civil service for both Republican and Democratic administrations. Republicans/ conservatives controlled the PA house and senate but it was not demagoguery. There were budget battles but not overt racism. In parts of PA there was racism but not the terrible bitterness that rages elsewhere. Elsewhere includes Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Mississippi and other southern and mid-Western states.
The hatred, venom and vitriol is unending. The bitterness rises to the surface in almost every conversation.
The Republican base hates Mr. Obama with deep, deep feeling that is unfathomable to the rest of us. They are deeply betrayed. The Republicans believe that the Democratic liberals and their progressive policies have forced and coerced the white middle class to accept anti-religious values that are in stark contrast with their conservative religious and family values. The Republicans believe blacks and progressives are singularly responsible for a welfare state that is destroying America. Republicans also fervently believe that blacks are responsible for most crime. They believe Obama is soft on black crime.
To counter this Republicans have turned to the nuclear option. Shut down everything and reject everything the black president offers. Destroy the black president.
The hatred, venom and vitriol is unending. The bitterness rises to the surface in almost every conversation.
The Republican base hates Mr. Obama with deep, deep feeling that is unfathomable to the rest of us. They are deeply betrayed. The Republicans believe that the Democratic liberals and their progressive policies have forced and coerced the white middle class to accept anti-religious values that are in stark contrast with their conservative religious and family values. The Republicans believe blacks and progressives are singularly responsible for a welfare state that is destroying America. Republicans also fervently believe that blacks are responsible for most crime. They believe Obama is soft on black crime.
To counter this Republicans have turned to the nuclear option. Shut down everything and reject everything the black president offers. Destroy the black president.
46
What you describe and I'd like to see Mr Krugman or maybe Robert Reich do a piece on is the fact that these ideas like "forced values on us" etc. is actually the outward sign of a grown up telling us they lack adult personal boundaries and the maturity of an adult which makes it impossible for them to separate themselves from any person they interact with.
The long and short of it is that somehow they never socially or intellectually matured much beyond adolescence. You'll notice that in countries, mostly former British Colonies that have frequent involuntary regime changes also have a populace with a majority of people who are also similarly stunted in their adult development and yet dead certain in how right they are.
The long and short of it is that somehow they never socially or intellectually matured much beyond adolescence. You'll notice that in countries, mostly former British Colonies that have frequent involuntary regime changes also have a populace with a majority of people who are also similarly stunted in their adult development and yet dead certain in how right they are.
11
"The Republicans believe blacks and progressives are singularly responsible for a welfare state that is destroying America."
The interesting thing is that they have believed this for 55 years. When is the destruction going to happen?
The interesting thing is that they have believed this for 55 years. When is the destruction going to happen?
2
The last time I checked most of the black unrest and protests were being conducted in deeply blue cities. Perhaps the progressive agenda is not appreciated by its vitims as throughly as most of the commenters on this article would have us believe.
And by the way, the population drain among workers and businesses seems to be from the deep blue paradises the New York Times hail as enlightened enclaves and TO thered states that are dinigrated as racist, backwards and "bitter". Taht includes a net influx into thses areas by , *gasp* black Americans, too. How ccan that be if these GOP loving states are so terrible?
And by the way, the population drain among workers and businesses seems to be from the deep blue paradises the New York Times hail as enlightened enclaves and TO thered states that are dinigrated as racist, backwards and "bitter". Taht includes a net influx into thses areas by , *gasp* black Americans, too. How ccan that be if these GOP loving states are so terrible?
Boehner left because he is too weak to stand up to a small group of destructive dysfunctional reps in his party
he isn't interested in America's success to compromise with democrats to govern the nation
walking away is choosing party politics over national interests
he isn't interested in America's success to compromise with democrats to govern the nation
walking away is choosing party politics over national interests
11
@ den, Um. don't by the propaganda he is one of them.
David Brooks had a thoughtful piece recently where he quoted conservative writer Peter Wehner: "The message being sent to voters is this: the Republican Party is led by people who are profoundly uncomfortable with the changing (and inevitable) demographic nature of our nation. The GOP is longing to return to the past and is fearful of the future. It is a party that is characterized by resentments and grievances; by distress and dismay; by the belief that America is irredeemably corrupt and past the point of no return." If the nation sees to have collectively gone mad, this is why. It's difficult to reason with mass hysteria.
26
The future of the National Republican Party is forecast in the political hurricanes of California. The volume and intensity of mud-slinging politics in the U.S. Congress is not new to Californians who had to endure the obstructionist Republican minority, many of whom openly pursued policies "aimed to destroy California to rebuild it." In the land of Reagan, Californians finally decided that "enough was enough": they turned Republican politicians into political eunuchs, by electing a super majority of Democrats for both houses in Sacramento. Asked what made for a good leader, Reagan was quoted as saying, "Just tell people the truth." The Republican Party in CA has managed to become irrelevant, because it has forgotten not only Reagan's advice but also Lincoln's counsel that even in politics one "can deceive some people some of the time, but one cannot deceive all people all the time."
14
The GOP will be getting someone baner than Boehner.
11
If you're going to use literary allusions, Mr. Krugman, you should try to use them correctly.
I think you mean Mr. Bohner was a "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad" Speaker. /Alexander
I think you mean Mr. Bohner was a "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad" Speaker. /Alexander
4
Why do we continue to treat the Republican party as if it were one party. It hasn't been since 2010. There's the Republicans, and then there's the Tea Party. Notwithstanding the seeming slavish agreement by formerly "mainstream" Republicans with the Tea Party agenda, I don't think they are one and the same. What is it that has allowed a strongly theocratic but otherwise nihilistic party to commandeer what was once a legitimate (if misguided from the view of this Democrat) party? And why are non-Tea Party Republicans too weak or craven or cowardly to take a stand?
13
The GOP-dominated House is the price we're paying for 30% voter turnout in non-presidential elections.
32
There's also an article in today's Times on reactions of Boehner's rank-and-file constituents, who say things like, good thing he's gone, he wasn't a staunch conservative, he caved to Obama. Like that's a bad thing. That's what we're dealing with, frankly stupid voters who think all government's bad, no government's good, compromise is evil, Fox News is fair and balanced, etc. When voters are this willfully misinformed, there's not much hope. And with Citizens United, and without a Fairness Doctrine or equal-time statutes, that ain't likely to change.
38
"it has been an era of budget blackmail, in which threats that Republicans will shut down the government or push it into default unless they get their way," and in my home state of Maine our Republican governor LePage is doing the same thing on a micro scale that the Republican's in Washington have done on a macro scale. Governor LePage refuses to release funds for bonds that we Mainers voted for in initiatives, that constitutionally he is required to release, but his legal excuse is that the constitution doesn't say how long he can wait to do so, five years and counting so far. Our Republican governor refuses to appoint administrators or judges, leaving positions vacant, he ties up the Maine Supreme court in knots over absurd attempts to drag out his vetoes, as punishment for a non compliant legislature that won't bow to his extreme demands, the list goes on, and Maine's economy goes down, but Republicans are in denial. If the Republicans in Washington manage to crash our economy as the Republicans in Maine seem bound to do, they will have the propaganda wing of their party, hate radio, still blaming the Democrats all the way down the drain. What a pathetic dangerous, unnecessary mess.
27
And yet the people elect them. Why? Reagan's greatest achievement--assuming that it was an achievement--was to convince the white middle class to vote against its own economic interests. That same white middle class, which was largely built and sustained by unions and government investments in infrastructure, education, and social insurance, votes over and over again for Republicans who vow to destroy the unions, defund the public educational institutions, and de-entitle the insurance programs. I am both appalled and puzzled by this apparent cognitive dissonance.
19
"And yet the people elect them. Why?"
Gerrymandered districts have a fair amount to do with it.
Gerrymandered districts have a fair amount to do with it.
1
Yes, Dr. Krugman, there was consensus among economists, including you, that a deficit spending would pull out the economy of its slump.
But they same economist, including you, failed to predict the occurring of the great depression.
That is, in Boehner's defence, the advise came from a group that had a failed record.
So, a bit of humility, on the part of economists, please .
But they same economist, including you, failed to predict the occurring of the great depression.
That is, in Boehner's defence, the advise came from a group that had a failed record.
So, a bit of humility, on the part of economists, please .
3
Thank you Dr. Krugman for not mincing the words. Boehner was an amateur who occupied a very critical position in the organization of Federal government and did lots and lots of damage to current workings of it, and set horrible precedent for the future saboteurs to duplicate.
And he did this for the sake of getting up there and crying like a baby, as though whose sucker was taken away out of his mouth.
Now some people bemoan having lost a great statesman to the detriment of these United States! What a Joke!
Anyone who cannot two dozen saboteurs should not apply for the job.
And he did this for the sake of getting up there and crying like a baby, as though whose sucker was taken away out of his mouth.
Now some people bemoan having lost a great statesman to the detriment of these United States! What a Joke!
Anyone who cannot two dozen saboteurs should not apply for the job.
8
It just underscores how utterly out of touch the Republican candidates and the Republican party is when it comes to issues of race in America. Electing the first black president does not signal the end of racism in this country but only serves as a distraction from and a dangerous distortion of a most challenging reality for most American black citizens. If Jeb Bush represents the best of the Republican presidential candidates, what a sorry state of affairs for the Republican party and America.
16
It may be news to the GOP but the Democratic Party has more votes and will elect the next President. The crazy anti-evidence Tea Party is bringing down the Republican party.
It is time for lawsuits concerning gerrymandered districts to remove the far-right from office by fair elections where people are allowed to vote, votes are counted, and each vote weighs equally.
It is time for lawsuits concerning gerrymandered districts to remove the far-right from office by fair elections where people are allowed to vote, votes are counted, and each vote weighs equally.
32
Whatever the reasons, John Boehner couldn't deliver. That made the House unreliable. That made the government unreliable. The rump right, incredibly, is making the United States of America redundant on the world stage.
6
Noam Chomsky says the organization which calls itself the Republican Party is no longer a political party. They call on Frank Luntz to come up with words and phrases so that people won't know what they're up to. Example: inheritance tax becomes "death tax." They are liars, courting people like Carly Florin who angrily makes it up as she goes along. They're not a governing body, and if the media would, for once, wake up we much just hear the truth about them on occasion rather than listening to a group of crazies have debates about nothing.
19
The media is awake. Unfortunately, in their unending zeal to appear even-handed, non-partisan, and fair. aided and abetted by journalism majors who lack basic knowledge of history and civics, they have sacrificed accurate journalism on the alter of false equivalency.
2
Mr Krugman,
Since you mention budget blackmail can you tell your readers why your party failed to pass a budget even though they both chambers the first 2 years? In fact, Harry Reid failed to pass a budget for 4 years. How many continuing resolutions during Obama's first term?
You also mock Republicans demand that Planned Parenthood not be funded with federal funds. Isn't that just what Obama said in 2009?
You also say that under the Affordable Care Act is working. If that is the case why is the number of ER visits going up? Why are people still using them as their source of health care if what you say is true?
And why don't you comment when I mention Robert Pear's July 2015 article which states the following
"Blue Cross and Blue Shield, market leaders in many states, are seeking rate increases that average 23% in Illinois, 25% in North Carolina, 31% in Oklahoma, 36% in Tennessee and 54% in Minnesota."
Scott and Wine Health Care Plan in Texas? 32%
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico? 51%
Health Net of Oregon 34.9%
Coventry Health Care? 22%
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas? 37%
When will you start telling the truth about this instead of comments with no facts to back them up?
And what is this vague major headwind that you are using as an excuse for the slow recovery? China devaluing it's currency? EU economic problems? Why does Yellen keep delaying rate increases? Almost 7 years into the recovery? Would you be so forgiving of a Republican? I don't think so
Since you mention budget blackmail can you tell your readers why your party failed to pass a budget even though they both chambers the first 2 years? In fact, Harry Reid failed to pass a budget for 4 years. How many continuing resolutions during Obama's first term?
You also mock Republicans demand that Planned Parenthood not be funded with federal funds. Isn't that just what Obama said in 2009?
You also say that under the Affordable Care Act is working. If that is the case why is the number of ER visits going up? Why are people still using them as their source of health care if what you say is true?
And why don't you comment when I mention Robert Pear's July 2015 article which states the following
"Blue Cross and Blue Shield, market leaders in many states, are seeking rate increases that average 23% in Illinois, 25% in North Carolina, 31% in Oklahoma, 36% in Tennessee and 54% in Minnesota."
Scott and Wine Health Care Plan in Texas? 32%
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico? 51%
Health Net of Oregon 34.9%
Coventry Health Care? 22%
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas? 37%
When will you start telling the truth about this instead of comments with no facts to back them up?
And what is this vague major headwind that you are using as an excuse for the slow recovery? China devaluing it's currency? EU economic problems? Why does Yellen keep delaying rate increases? Almost 7 years into the recovery? Would you be so forgiving of a Republican? I don't think so
6
How is it you assume Paul Krugman is a Democrat? Where has he ever stated that?
Mazel tov, Prof. Krugman, senior tenured professor at one of the most distinguished educational institutions in the country (reputedly) and Nobel Prize winner. You have distinguished yourself over the years in demonizing and ad hominem or ad feminam attacks against those with whom you have ideological disagreements. Now you have taken on the job of kicking a man when he is down and turned it into a high art. Kudos. And to the Times for enabling this. Fine, worthy, noble people: Prof. Krugman and the Times editorial board.
3
Insert the name of almost any republican that has served in local or National Office since 1980 and it would still read right.
What I see in this "global economy" and the corporate interests that control the country by controlling the GOP is a new kind of colonialism.
Our country has been a center for foreign corporate extraction of our wealth since reagan deregulated and threw it open to foreign "investment" with no regulation or requirements on them to create long term jobs or make long term investment that kept people employed and paid taxes. They came in and pretty much walked away with our treasure unmolested and still are to this day. The same goes for our home grown companies which are now multinational and just as much or even more foreign than their homegrown roots make it seem. They have no need to look after America as corps did before deregulation, because they can just up and go when the money tap runs dry.
The judicious destruction of our education system, dumbing down of public media, intentional spread of misinformation and false reasoning models (example "You tell us what you want to pay") and here we are with a national government as infiltrated by stupid people sure of their righteousness and broken by disinformation and foreign manipulation as was Athens before its fall.
What I see in this "global economy" and the corporate interests that control the country by controlling the GOP is a new kind of colonialism.
Our country has been a center for foreign corporate extraction of our wealth since reagan deregulated and threw it open to foreign "investment" with no regulation or requirements on them to create long term jobs or make long term investment that kept people employed and paid taxes. They came in and pretty much walked away with our treasure unmolested and still are to this day. The same goes for our home grown companies which are now multinational and just as much or even more foreign than their homegrown roots make it seem. They have no need to look after America as corps did before deregulation, because they can just up and go when the money tap runs dry.
The judicious destruction of our education system, dumbing down of public media, intentional spread of misinformation and false reasoning models (example "You tell us what you want to pay") and here we are with a national government as infiltrated by stupid people sure of their righteousness and broken by disinformation and foreign manipulation as was Athens before its fall.
12
If the government shuts down it will because the President and his party shut it down to ensure one of their special interest groups retains the $500 million taxpayers currently are providing them. It wont be because of the Republicans, if they choose to fund everything else and simply choose to redirect those funds to organizations that are focused on women's health rather than in the trafficking of human organs.
1
"special interests" meaning women and low income. Got it.
Mr. Krugman needs a lesson in high school civics. Congress alone passes the budget, its up to the president to sign or veto it. The House is the only entity that can raise revenue and leads in spending it. The current Republican house has passed budgets that were slim on deficits and thus rejected by the President. The president is the obstructionist, not congress.
The good professor also seems confused. On the one hand its congressional belt tightening that has created 'head winds' against the economy. Next breath: the economy has recovered nicely thanks to Obama. Wealth is created by businesses and its telling that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has consistently supported most Republican policies while opposing White House mandates, from minimum wage increases to emission controls.
As for Obamacare, its has been a dismal failure in keeping healthcare costs down.. the primary purpose of the 'Affordable Care' Act. If we look at the White House link provided here, it only shows increasing costs across the board. It shows rapidly rising costs for prescription care and deductibles, while doing nothing to actually reduce costs or improve quality. And this is the rosy picture. I am sure an independent source would have painted a darker outlook. Krugman should read supporting links fully before posting them to bolster his convoluted positions.
The good professor also seems confused. On the one hand its congressional belt tightening that has created 'head winds' against the economy. Next breath: the economy has recovered nicely thanks to Obama. Wealth is created by businesses and its telling that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has consistently supported most Republican policies while opposing White House mandates, from minimum wage increases to emission controls.
As for Obamacare, its has been a dismal failure in keeping healthcare costs down.. the primary purpose of the 'Affordable Care' Act. If we look at the White House link provided here, it only shows increasing costs across the board. It shows rapidly rising costs for prescription care and deductibles, while doing nothing to actually reduce costs or improve quality. And this is the rosy picture. I am sure an independent source would have painted a darker outlook. Krugman should read supporting links fully before posting them to bolster his convoluted positions.
2
I love the display of pomp and arrogance of those who upbraid Paul Krugman, a distinguished, tenured professor and Nobel winner, as "confused", "convoluted" and "needing a lesson".
The stark hubris would be amusing if this dilettante wasn't an adult with the franchise to vote.
The stark hubris would be amusing if this dilettante wasn't an adult with the franchise to vote.
2
It would take an article twice as long to refute all the misstatements and logical fallacies presented by Mr. Krugman. One such fallacy is Krugman's argument that more stimulus would have revived the economy. Unfunded liabilities and the continued spending into oblivion is destroying the economy. Stimulus spending only works when the underlying economic structure is otherwise healthy. Hence, we call it stimulus not resurrection.
1
No, Dr. Krugman, the Republicans have not gone mad. Nor have the Democrats.
Lost in all the wailing and gnashing of teeth in both parties is the realization that people can have different political views without being ignorant or insane. It's not facts that are at issue, it's beliefs.
It is clear that, one way or another, there will not be a government shutdown over the Planned Parenthood videos. At least be thankful about that.
Lost in all the wailing and gnashing of teeth in both parties is the realization that people can have different political views without being ignorant or insane. It's not facts that are at issue, it's beliefs.
It is clear that, one way or another, there will not be a government shutdown over the Planned Parenthood videos. At least be thankful about that.
1
"There was and is a strong consensus among economists that a temporary period of deficit spending can help mitigate an economic slump."
The hyperlink in that quote took me to the poll results. It strikes me that economists from a very few universities were represented in that poll.
The hyperlink in that quote took me to the poll results. It strikes me that economists from a very few universities were represented in that poll.
1
Why do most US citizens believe that the US government can emulate the Greek Government Economic policies (borrow and spend lots of money) and get a different outcome?
How can we get the US government to reduce spending?
Why can't everybody realize that the main cause of the Greek government's current economic and financial distress is the excessive Greek Government deficit spending.
There are real limits to how many wealth consuming people paid by the Greek government that the taxable wealth creating Greek business people in Greece (or any other nation) can afford to support without bankrupting the Greek Government!
How can we get the US government to reduce spending?
Why can't everybody realize that the main cause of the Greek government's current economic and financial distress is the excessive Greek Government deficit spending.
There are real limits to how many wealth consuming people paid by the Greek government that the taxable wealth creating Greek business people in Greece (or any other nation) can afford to support without bankrupting the Greek Government!
3
Because (surprise!) the US is not Greece. What is considered the most secure investment in the world? Because it is so attractive, the US can borrow (and reinvest) large amounts of money at extremely low interest rates. It's a great deal. Greece can't do that.
11
A perfect example that refutes this idea that deficits can lead to disaster is government spending during World War II. The full employment for military spending ended the Great Depression. The huge deficits and inflation that were caused did not hurt the economy of the US and it went on to improve tremendously in the years that followed. Another example is the Great Society programs of the 1960s. The poverty rate in the US dropped dramatically during those programs and not improved since the advent of the supply side theory of tax breaks for the wealthy inaugurated by President Reagan.
11
buckthorn,
Freshly printed paper “Sovereign Issued” US Treasury bonds and other US securities denominated in US dollars that the US government periodically prints on paper and then sells at public auction to (Communist Chinese and other industrialist individuals in the taxable wealth creating BRIC nations in return for their US Dollars they got by selling their products to US citizens) raise funds to pay for various taxable wealth consuming US government services actually have absolutely NO VALUE at all, except that these financial instruments are easily and quickly redeemed by foreigners for (when they purchase) title to privately owned businesses, movie houses, factories, casinos, hotels, farms, land, ports, refineries, forests, ports, breweries, distilleries, and other privately owned national wealth and other assets located in the USA that do have value and were created by previous productive US generations prior to the USA de-industrializing (instead of Gold from Ft. Knox or the NYC federal reserve bank).
If this redeeming of US Dollars with US located property instead of Gold by foreigners was not allowed, then our US Dollars would not be honored by anyone anywhere in the world for any purchase or business transaction.
Freshly printed paper “Sovereign Issued” US Treasury bonds and other US securities denominated in US dollars that the US government periodically prints on paper and then sells at public auction to (Communist Chinese and other industrialist individuals in the taxable wealth creating BRIC nations in return for their US Dollars they got by selling their products to US citizens) raise funds to pay for various taxable wealth consuming US government services actually have absolutely NO VALUE at all, except that these financial instruments are easily and quickly redeemed by foreigners for (when they purchase) title to privately owned businesses, movie houses, factories, casinos, hotels, farms, land, ports, refineries, forests, ports, breweries, distilleries, and other privately owned national wealth and other assets located in the USA that do have value and were created by previous productive US generations prior to the USA de-industrializing (instead of Gold from Ft. Knox or the NYC federal reserve bank).
If this redeeming of US Dollars with US located property instead of Gold by foreigners was not allowed, then our US Dollars would not be honored by anyone anywhere in the world for any purchase or business transaction.
Imagine this creature making negative comments about anyone.
He is the one that has advised printing endless runs of money because he was using Keynesian Economics. In fact he wasn't. He was using Voodoo economics and anyone that has to buy groceries on a fixed income can plainly see that.
In just three years under the Krugman economic philosophy groceries have at least tripled. Rent has gone up 30% and home prices have "recovered" meaning that they cost almost as much as rent of the same building.
Dr. Krugman has administered to the US economy until it's in critical condition and now purports to blame it on "obstructionism" from those attempting to stop him.
He is the one that has advised printing endless runs of money because he was using Keynesian Economics. In fact he wasn't. He was using Voodoo economics and anyone that has to buy groceries on a fixed income can plainly see that.
In just three years under the Krugman economic philosophy groceries have at least tripled. Rent has gone up 30% and home prices have "recovered" meaning that they cost almost as much as rent of the same building.
Dr. Krugman has administered to the US economy until it's in critical condition and now purports to blame it on "obstructionism" from those attempting to stop him.
1
The Tea Party was to Boehner as Compaq was to Fiorina -- impossible to integrate and a bad decision they held onto. But then, looking in the rear view mirror, both claim they did a wonderful job. Great delusions by inept "leaders". And the beat goes on....
1
The Republicans have the power to rid themselves of the obstructionists if they wish. They can make a deal with Nancy Pelosi as to which Republican should be Speaker and do away with the idiot Hastert Rule that prevents them from accomplishing anything legislatively. No doubt common ground can be found. As to individual Representatives (or Senators) fearing a primary challenge from a further right TP, uh, last I checked they have control over who they allow on the ballot as a Republican. The TP will not have much success as a third party.
4
Dear Mr. Krugman:
Thank you for airing your well-stated anger – mine, too – about the crazy (and growing) side of the GOP. I have been guilty of giving Mr. Boehner credit for moderating the kamikaze features of his party's caucus. I do remember his comment: “American families are tightening their belts. But they don’t see government tightening its belt.” And I do remember thinking that this was opposite what I had learned about how a country fights its way out of an economic downturn. So, thank you for reminding me and all of us who read your columns that Mr. Boehner was part of the problem. I only hope that we are not just a fringe at the other end of the political spectrum.
cjs
Thank you for airing your well-stated anger – mine, too – about the crazy (and growing) side of the GOP. I have been guilty of giving Mr. Boehner credit for moderating the kamikaze features of his party's caucus. I do remember his comment: “American families are tightening their belts. But they don’t see government tightening its belt.” And I do remember thinking that this was opposite what I had learned about how a country fights its way out of an economic downturn. So, thank you for reminding me and all of us who read your columns that Mr. Boehner was part of the problem. I only hope that we are not just a fringe at the other end of the political spectrum.
cjs
7
Time for the trillion dollar coin.
Its tiresome to see so many comments about how its the voters who should get together and make the changes. And the NYTimes likes this line as well. Yet this pre-supposes that US Democracy is robust and healthy. Sure, activism and voting matter. But less and less year over year.
Its as if many have never heard of redistricting, gerrymandering, Citizen's United, McCutcheon v. The FEC. Wisconsin, for example, voted majority Democratic, yet it delegation is majority GOP. Its not one vote one person in the U.S. anymore, not at all.
Large majorities of the U.S. oppose Citizens United, support planned parenthood and more than half see climate change as a real threat as well as support stricter gun control laws. Are these issues being addressed in Congress? No. And in the case of Planned Parenthood videos with suspect content, that were obtained under false pretenses by extremists using identity fraud (and likely breaking several laws under HIPPA and Privacy Rights to boot) are being used to bring us to the brink.
So please don't blame the victims. Its not to so easy to simply vote this volatile, feverish minority out. They and their handlers have rigged the system.
Its as if many have never heard of redistricting, gerrymandering, Citizen's United, McCutcheon v. The FEC. Wisconsin, for example, voted majority Democratic, yet it delegation is majority GOP. Its not one vote one person in the U.S. anymore, not at all.
Large majorities of the U.S. oppose Citizens United, support planned parenthood and more than half see climate change as a real threat as well as support stricter gun control laws. Are these issues being addressed in Congress? No. And in the case of Planned Parenthood videos with suspect content, that were obtained under false pretenses by extremists using identity fraud (and likely breaking several laws under HIPPA and Privacy Rights to boot) are being used to bring us to the brink.
So please don't blame the victims. Its not to so easy to simply vote this volatile, feverish minority out. They and their handlers have rigged the system.
15
All the systemic twists and turns aside, we are still a nation with an elected government. We have only ourselves to blame for continuing to elect idiots into the majority of our legislative houses.
2
It s time for us all to wakeup and admit that we live in a dysfunctional society.
Not hyperbole- fact.
Not hyperbole- fact.
4
instead of laying down keen insights and wise counsel for our current economic mess, which krugman thinks is doing quite nicely, he keeps treading on his political biases and a neurotic need to defend this president. while i agree with some of the arguments he's laid down regarding govt. spending in order to boost our economy, his political agenda sounds like a screeching, drunk, fan out in the bleachers who can't shut-up even after his team has won.
1
Next job for Boehner: Lobyist, big money but we will see and hear him less, thankfully. Mr. Krugman is correct: boehner was the worst.
7
From 2003 to 2010 California lived a similar situation. The state was an unqualified MESS. A solution was found in 2010. The state is thriving ever since. I would recommend that the rest of the country take notice.
11
I wrote an article 2 years ago, entitled 'America's Sunnis', for a local liberal-leaning newspaper, Voices. The idea stated in the article was that the Tea Party people are analogous to the Sunnis in Iraq and that they motivation is to restore their once dominant and now dwindling influence in America, regardless of the destruction it would cause. In this country, the Sunnis are the semi-educated Anglo Saxon males, who represent (or at least command) in numbers about the same ratio to the total population as do the Sunnis in Iraq. I voiced fears that the anger among that subset of the population would eventually turn to violence, though I expressed hope that it would not.
3
There is no living with these people. The same way there was no living with pro-slavery extremists of the 1850s. If you look at some of the things that were said in response to resistance to extending slavery into the territories, strengthening the fugitive slave act, etc, they are remarkably similar to what you hear from the T. Party today. These people won't be happy until they burn down the house. And, there is very little we can do to stop them.
6
More than 30% of us can vote in midterm elections. That would be a start.
The ultra mad Right Wing of the Republican party seems to number about 50, which is 10% of the House. So a small minority is holding the country hostage by obstructionism, threats and spreading of know-nothing economics. Their appeal to a easily impressed, seemingly unthinking base that believes anything their "heroes" preach to them is dong untold damage to America - economically and in world opinion of what we stand for.
The solution should be DIVORCE, because the GOP factions are like a couple that no longer sees eye to eye and who quarrel incessantly. The GOP should bite the bullet and let the Tea Party depart to become the far right wing and move to the party to a more center-right position which would also attract Independents and many of those who left the Republican party as it started an unnecessary war in 2003, sold the country on its policies with falsehoods and then ran it into a very bad recession. The more moderate stand would make up for losses of the extremists on the right who have coined their own facts that rule the world.
The solution should be DIVORCE, because the GOP factions are like a couple that no longer sees eye to eye and who quarrel incessantly. The GOP should bite the bullet and let the Tea Party depart to become the far right wing and move to the party to a more center-right position which would also attract Independents and many of those who left the Republican party as it started an unnecessary war in 2003, sold the country on its policies with falsehoods and then ran it into a very bad recession. The more moderate stand would make up for losses of the extremists on the right who have coined their own facts that rule the world.
5
So, according to Krugman Obama victory was very legitimate and with resounding support from the country. GOP is evil to think otherwise. However, the GOP win in the congress, which was also voted in by the same country and same electorate is highly questionable, and most likely illegitimate. Democrats are very very correct to question the legitimacy of GOP win in the congress. But a reverse situation when any GOP voter questions Obama's win makes that person into an immediate mad man. Finally, since all GOP congress members are crazy, Krugman must imply that the voters who voted in these GOP congressmen also must be equally demented. Which would mean approximately 50% of the country must be crazy, demented, and very unpatriotic according to Krugman
2
Dismissing the GOP as clowns and half-wits is our first mistake. While we were doing that, they have steadily taken over a majority of state and local governments, which has in turn allowed them to gerrymander a virtually unbreakable (until 2020) "majority" of Congressional districts - despite consistently receiving a minority of votes nationwide. This has been largely funded by and quite deliberately designed by corporate interests. Winning the intellectual debate and feeling morally superior are relatively meaningless in the face of this raw political power. It can only be countered in kind - meaning organized local political action.
14
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Staff Reports
Is Economics Coursework, or Majoring in Economics,
Associated with Different Civic Behaviors?
Sam Allgood
William Bosshardt
Wilbert van der Klaauw
Michael Watts
Staff Report no. 450
May 2010 http://www.newyorkfed.org/research/staff_reports/sr450.pdf
"The number of economics courses completed by the graduates of these four schools significantly decreases the likelihood that a person does not join a political party and the likelihood of joining the Democratic party, while the number of economics courses is positively related to the likelihood of joining the Republican party. For example, taking five economics courses is associated with an eight percent decrease in the likelihood of joining the Democratic party and more than a 10 percent higher chance of joining the Republican party. These marginal effects are large relative to the unconditional means reported in Table 1. For example, approximately 40 percent of respondents report being members of the Republican party, so a 10 percentage point increase for 5 economics courses represents a 25 percent increase."
Staff Reports
Is Economics Coursework, or Majoring in Economics,
Associated with Different Civic Behaviors?
Sam Allgood
William Bosshardt
Wilbert van der Klaauw
Michael Watts
Staff Report no. 450
May 2010 http://www.newyorkfed.org/research/staff_reports/sr450.pdf
"The number of economics courses completed by the graduates of these four schools significantly decreases the likelihood that a person does not join a political party and the likelihood of joining the Democratic party, while the number of economics courses is positively related to the likelihood of joining the Republican party. For example, taking five economics courses is associated with an eight percent decrease in the likelihood of joining the Democratic party and more than a 10 percent higher chance of joining the Republican party. These marginal effects are large relative to the unconditional means reported in Table 1. For example, approximately 40 percent of respondents report being members of the Republican party, so a 10 percentage point increase for 5 economics courses represents a 25 percent increase."
1
no GOP pres has handed off a decent econ for over 100 years.
try history
try history
Unfortunately, it appears that the Washington Republicant's have learned this scorched earth tactic from their California GOP brethren who used to do the same thing with the California budget. California used to require a 2/3rd's majority to pass a budget due to a provision in Prop 13. Californians got sick and tired of the infighting and the budget not being passed on time that through the proposition process we voted to get rid of the 2/3rd majority. Our budgets have been passed on time with a minimum of fuss ever since. The GOP can no longer hold the whole state hostage with their demands. We are very happy with this change. I'm not sure what can be done on the federal level.
11
Your state is $430 billion (give or take) in debt. Great budget program you have.
Interesting timing: Boehner brings in the Pope for a historical speech in front of Congress and finds out that he, as a Catholic, and the most powerful and influential person in Congress, has not been operating under any of the Catholic ideals of his Pope. Imagine what a life defining moment that was. I'd be crying, too.
18
The "tightening your belt" trope is annoying not least because even when you're talking about the necessity of individual families cutting back, it's bad for the economy—as actual small business owners know, since their customer base shrinks. Circumstances can compel a family to cut back their spending at times, but it should be obvious that a critical mass of families cutting back at once does harm to an economy.
That the government is neither a household nor a business is a concept that always evades Republicans. If you don't know what government is or what it does, then you shouldn't be there.
I'm outraged at know-nothing, do-nothing members of Congress who aren't earning their paycheck and instead hold government hostage to getting their way on issues of relatively limited scope. Even if I believed Planned Parenthood were an evil organization (I assuredly do not), causing economic catastrophe and shutting down government to combat it is like shooting a squirrel with a rocket-propelled grenade.
What can we do? I'm not seeing any answers to that question.
That the government is neither a household nor a business is a concept that always evades Republicans. If you don't know what government is or what it does, then you shouldn't be there.
I'm outraged at know-nothing, do-nothing members of Congress who aren't earning their paycheck and instead hold government hostage to getting their way on issues of relatively limited scope. Even if I believed Planned Parenthood were an evil organization (I assuredly do not), causing economic catastrophe and shutting down government to combat it is like shooting a squirrel with a rocket-propelled grenade.
What can we do? I'm not seeing any answers to that question.
17
Of course, Dr. Krugman, ex-Speaker Nancy Pelosi's technique of "you have to pass the bill to find out what is in it" is the hallmark of democracy and inclusion.
Sir, you have an extremely warped sense of what is proper in politics and governance.
Sir, you have an extremely warped sense of what is proper in politics and governance.
5
You have an extremely warped (i.e. typically Republican) notion of how bills proceed through Congress. Here is the process as explained on the House of Representatives website (just to make you perhaps willing to read what it says, let me remind you that the House is controlled by a Republican majority):
"Laws begin as ideas. First, a representative sponsors a bill. The bill is then assigned to a committee for study. If released by the committee, the bill is put on a calendar to be voted on, debated or amended. If the bill passes by simple majority (218 of 435), the bill moves to the Senate. In the Senate, the bill is assigned to another committee and, if released, debated and voted on. Again, a simple majority (51 of 100) passes the bill. Finally, a conference committee made of House and Senate members works out any differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. The resulting bill returns to the House and Senate for final approval. The Government Printing Office prints the revised bill in a process called enrolling. The President has 10 days to sign or veto the enrolled bill."
So, what you accuse Ms. Pelosi of is, of course, impossible, but your reasoning is not atypical of the "thought" process of many Republicans.
"Laws begin as ideas. First, a representative sponsors a bill. The bill is then assigned to a committee for study. If released by the committee, the bill is put on a calendar to be voted on, debated or amended. If the bill passes by simple majority (218 of 435), the bill moves to the Senate. In the Senate, the bill is assigned to another committee and, if released, debated and voted on. Again, a simple majority (51 of 100) passes the bill. Finally, a conference committee made of House and Senate members works out any differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. The resulting bill returns to the House and Senate for final approval. The Government Printing Office prints the revised bill in a process called enrolling. The President has 10 days to sign or veto the enrolled bill."
So, what you accuse Ms. Pelosi of is, of course, impossible, but your reasoning is not atypical of the "thought" process of many Republicans.
9
Those people are still fighting communism (single payer health care), and promoting punishment for anyone who doesn't look like them (mass incarceration). Mr. Boehner threw himself under the bus because "belief" cannot overcome reality. I believe the GOP's Tea Party/Flat Earth Society is secretly on the donkey payroll. After all, this is America where you can be paid to be ignorant, no?
3
What is frightening is that the 2016 Presidential election may come down to one district in Ohio according to a previous article in the NY Times. The Tea Party radicals see Boehner's departure as a victory, and an opportunity to double down on their efforts to take down the government programs that are social safety nets. One district may be all that stands between this country and a descent into the chaos that would be unleashed on this country if the Republicans sweep the 2016 election, whomever their final candidate is. I am so afraid for this country.
5
watch out for rove on the ohio vote
Whatever Pres Obama has accomplished looks good compared to the Gop radical extremes. The Gop rw is the standard to judge. So to sharply reduce the # of uninsured is portrayed as wonderful. But by the standards of even the 20th C, it’s lousy to just reduce the uninsured, but still leave millions out. To cover all is still too ‘left wing’, tho it contradicts the Equal Protection clause. What other democracy would run an election that doesn’t make redressing this grievance a #1 issue?
Costs SEEM to be under control? Can our economist do 1 column with figures on how we spend about twice on h/c than any other country? Other govts negotiate insurance/drug prices, but here that’s too ‘ left wing’. Abroad their conservatives and corporations seem to accept that principal. Here our Gop wants to destroy even mediocre ACA.
A recent Times editorial studied the platforms of conservative parties in 9 countries and found the US GOP was the only party to DENY the existence of human-caused climate change. Abroad they may argue on how best to fight climate change, but at least they agree on the premise.
Conservative parties abroad basically agree that their citizens should have health care, and low cost higher education, and that that their roads/bridges, transport, broadband speed should be kept up to date. The US falls further behind in all of these. The US Gop is an outlier.Even rw parties in other democracies are moderate Vs the US on basic social protections for citizens.
Costs SEEM to be under control? Can our economist do 1 column with figures on how we spend about twice on h/c than any other country? Other govts negotiate insurance/drug prices, but here that’s too ‘ left wing’. Abroad their conservatives and corporations seem to accept that principal. Here our Gop wants to destroy even mediocre ACA.
A recent Times editorial studied the platforms of conservative parties in 9 countries and found the US GOP was the only party to DENY the existence of human-caused climate change. Abroad they may argue on how best to fight climate change, but at least they agree on the premise.
Conservative parties abroad basically agree that their citizens should have health care, and low cost higher education, and that that their roads/bridges, transport, broadband speed should be kept up to date. The US falls further behind in all of these. The US Gop is an outlier.Even rw parties in other democracies are moderate Vs the US on basic social protections for citizens.
9
Of course, in the grand scope of human history, freedom is an outlier and tyranny is commonplace.
I stand with freedom!
Sometimes that is the GOP, but usually neither major political party in the US really takes freedom very seriously.
I stand with freedom!
Sometimes that is the GOP, but usually neither major political party in the US really takes freedom very seriously.
The GOP campaign strategy of fear, loathing and disdain has come home to roost. Now the GOP voters fear, loathe and disdain their own party leaders.
6
All this from a man that claimed the internet would never amount to anything?
Nice try!
Nice try!
2
Boehner's failure was the inevitable outcome of a monstrous problem that the GOP hierarchy created over years and years; the GOP has been feeding their base a nasty soup made of equal parts fear, hatred, racism, jingoism and encouraging seditious behavior, seasoned with an unhealthy dose of extreme religious ideology. You are what you eat, you know.
10
Thank you, Professor, for being a ray of light in an increasingly murky world.
10
I am sick to death of the blackmail and can't believe there aren't some responsible conservatives out there who aren't complete lunatics with no respect for facts, science or economic realities. The GOP seems to have destroyed itself at this point
11
Sorry Krugman, your information is way out of date. As usual.
The young John Boehner who came to Washington 20 years ago was a true patriot, and American conservative, who understood the values that made this country great, and was willing to fight and die for them.
Speaker Boehner was a man who had sold out to K-Street (sound familiar?), given in to the "middle" (as if that exists) and had lost his principles. The Republican party is not more divided because he is leaving, his leadership was what facilitated the divide in the first place.
"Shutting down the government" always was, and remains, nonsense. The reality is, the Dems aren't going to get their way, and the Repubs aren't going to get theirs. Because the Dems happened to be on the side of the status quo, spending my tax dollars horribly, the Repubs will get the blame. But it is all nonsense. Only K-Street rules, and everyone else in Congress sits at their behest.
Which is why I let my last party affiliation expire in 1989. And I'm certainly not shopping today.
Go Trump! The only candidate in either party not already bought and paid for.
WR
The young John Boehner who came to Washington 20 years ago was a true patriot, and American conservative, who understood the values that made this country great, and was willing to fight and die for them.
Speaker Boehner was a man who had sold out to K-Street (sound familiar?), given in to the "middle" (as if that exists) and had lost his principles. The Republican party is not more divided because he is leaving, his leadership was what facilitated the divide in the first place.
"Shutting down the government" always was, and remains, nonsense. The reality is, the Dems aren't going to get their way, and the Repubs aren't going to get theirs. Because the Dems happened to be on the side of the status quo, spending my tax dollars horribly, the Repubs will get the blame. But it is all nonsense. Only K-Street rules, and everyone else in Congress sits at their behest.
Which is why I let my last party affiliation expire in 1989. And I'm certainly not shopping today.
Go Trump! The only candidate in either party not already bought and paid for.
WR
1
Wrong. Bernie is that candidate. Trump is bought and paid for by 1%er cronies. Open your eyes.
The departure of Mr. Boehner will take all of Mr. Obama's considerable skills to navigate. We won't get the shutdown this year. But we will certainly get it early next year. And it won't be for just a couple of days. Lots of the Republican base are going to be hurt by it. After all - the Red States overwhelmingly receive more government largess than they pay for in taxes.
The climatic battle will come with the debt ceiling. In the past, the GOP leadership helped to avert a default, albeit at the last possible minute. Now, the task will fall completely on the executive and judicial branches. Mr. Obama is going to have to invoke the 14th Amendment, and the Supreme Court will have to strike down the Public Debts Act as incompatible with the Article 4 of the 14th Amendment.
The Conservatives (read oligarchs) may do profound, long-term damage to our country in pursuit of their discredited ideology, but the silver lining will be that they will find themselves outcast again like from 1932 thru 1980. Hopefully for good this time.
The climatic battle will come with the debt ceiling. In the past, the GOP leadership helped to avert a default, albeit at the last possible minute. Now, the task will fall completely on the executive and judicial branches. Mr. Obama is going to have to invoke the 14th Amendment, and the Supreme Court will have to strike down the Public Debts Act as incompatible with the Article 4 of the 14th Amendment.
The Conservatives (read oligarchs) may do profound, long-term damage to our country in pursuit of their discredited ideology, but the silver lining will be that they will find themselves outcast again like from 1932 thru 1980. Hopefully for good this time.
16
The Gop disposes of remedies for our outlier wealth gap with automatic charges of socialism. They have nothing else to say, and this has worked in the past. Is that changing a bit?
Any modern democracy needs big govt, elected by citizens in order to protect against corporate predators. But here, those very predators are portrayed as preservers of free enterprise and private property. At least until they go too far and kill people with defective or poisoned products.
Meanwhile what is exploiting us pretends to be protecting us---from big govt socialistic intrusion, on the road to tyranny. This is behind every Gop statement, as they'ave pushed rightward. If we didn't have big money politics, the Dems would be able to withstand the rightward pull.
Media monopolies that use politics as personality/drama entertainment works very well to obscure the issues. Even on the Times op ed page, how much issue discussion is there? Very little, as the campaign goes on,....and on....
But in articles, plenty on how much money each side raises--into billions, which is not even allowed in most other democracies. Repealing Citizens United, and using pubic financing is a verboten topic.
So even moderate redress of grievances is portrayed as too 'left wing', when a look at history shows we once adopted many policies now pushed by Democrats such as Sanders and Warren. But now these are untouchable by our mainstream politics and media pundits.
Any modern democracy needs big govt, elected by citizens in order to protect against corporate predators. But here, those very predators are portrayed as preservers of free enterprise and private property. At least until they go too far and kill people with defective or poisoned products.
Meanwhile what is exploiting us pretends to be protecting us---from big govt socialistic intrusion, on the road to tyranny. This is behind every Gop statement, as they'ave pushed rightward. If we didn't have big money politics, the Dems would be able to withstand the rightward pull.
Media monopolies that use politics as personality/drama entertainment works very well to obscure the issues. Even on the Times op ed page, how much issue discussion is there? Very little, as the campaign goes on,....and on....
But in articles, plenty on how much money each side raises--into billions, which is not even allowed in most other democracies. Repealing Citizens United, and using pubic financing is a verboten topic.
So even moderate redress of grievances is portrayed as too 'left wing', when a look at history shows we once adopted many policies now pushed by Democrats such as Sanders and Warren. But now these are untouchable by our mainstream politics and media pundits.
8
Boehner and everyone else in the GOP to the left of Genghis Khan are faced with an insoluble problem. In the first place they abetted and used a monster of a movement that demands that they fulfill their promises, which are politically and constitutionally impossible.
An even greater impossibility is the creation of the right-wing utopia that the base imagines, awaiting only the right leaders. And none of the GOP have the wisdom or courage to tell their supporters the truth: that the LGBTs are not going back into the closet; that people will no longer accept avoidable illness and death because of health care delayed or denied; that Americans are no longer all WASPs; that black Americans are no longer going to cower in fear of lynch mobs; and that the 21st century cannot be repealed.
The more perceptive among them recognize the truth, but are angry and willing to fight on, like the South after Gettysburg or Japan after Midway. The rest are also angry: they sense that they have been ripped off, but do not see how or why.
An even greater impossibility is the creation of the right-wing utopia that the base imagines, awaiting only the right leaders. And none of the GOP have the wisdom or courage to tell their supporters the truth: that the LGBTs are not going back into the closet; that people will no longer accept avoidable illness and death because of health care delayed or denied; that Americans are no longer all WASPs; that black Americans are no longer going to cower in fear of lynch mobs; and that the 21st century cannot be repealed.
The more perceptive among them recognize the truth, but are angry and willing to fight on, like the South after Gettysburg or Japan after Midway. The rest are also angry: they sense that they have been ripped off, but do not see how or why.
17
This has just zero, zero, zero relationship to reality.
The party is adjusting to the nomination and election of Kasich. The donor have pulled the plug on the one credible conservative, Walker. They now are pulling the plug on Bush. Kasich is really too old, being born in 1952 and 18 at the time of Kent State, but he certainly didn't need a Speaker from Ohio born in 1949 who had become a symbol. McCarthy and Scalize. one from California and the other from Louisiana, both born in 1965, are far superior.
Obama caused the polarization by not embracing Bush's prescription drug and building on it, but instead being so opposed to fiscal stimulus (or at least his Austrian czar Summers was) that he cut the prescription drug program. it and didn't expand Medicaid until 2014 when he thought there would be a budget surplus.
If the market goes to 11,000 as Shiller predicts, then Obama will go in a group with James Buchanan, otherwise with Coolidge. But at least he is performing a service now by ochestrating the release of the criminal leaking of security information to uncleared types like Blumenthal and the criminal corruption of Abedin in State. At least I assume that Obama will have the compassion of Francis and cut an Agnew deal with her rather than insist on the ten years in prison she deserves.
The party is adjusting to the nomination and election of Kasich. The donor have pulled the plug on the one credible conservative, Walker. They now are pulling the plug on Bush. Kasich is really too old, being born in 1952 and 18 at the time of Kent State, but he certainly didn't need a Speaker from Ohio born in 1949 who had become a symbol. McCarthy and Scalize. one from California and the other from Louisiana, both born in 1965, are far superior.
Obama caused the polarization by not embracing Bush's prescription drug and building on it, but instead being so opposed to fiscal stimulus (or at least his Austrian czar Summers was) that he cut the prescription drug program. it and didn't expand Medicaid until 2014 when he thought there would be a budget surplus.
If the market goes to 11,000 as Shiller predicts, then Obama will go in a group with James Buchanan, otherwise with Coolidge. But at least he is performing a service now by ochestrating the release of the criminal leaking of security information to uncleared types like Blumenthal and the criminal corruption of Abedin in State. At least I assume that Obama will have the compassion of Francis and cut an Agnew deal with her rather than insist on the ten years in prison she deserves.
Surely, this post is sarcasm ... you say the article "has just zero, zero, zero relationship to reality". But yet your post is filled with conspiracy theories, and is absolutely incoherent in most parts.
For the record, if you look up "liberal" or "Democrat" in the dictionary, Mr. Kaufman's name appears.
In truth, the "scorched earth" policies were the invention of our President, when his "legacy" healthcare program got his party fired from Congress, decided the Constitution needed to be re-written into a Monarchy with a paper legislature acting on his every whim.
He has not stopped campaigning in six years, and his party in Congress have abandoned their duties to their constituents in favor of playing serfs to his king. Worse, those in the Press, like Mr. Kaufman, who we protect in the First Amendment to tell us the truth, lie. A "shutdown" will be blamed on the Republicans and their leaders -- because it will get votes for the Democrats.
The "blackmail" is the President playing the "no morality" card of his fanatical press, who will spin every idiotic idea that pumps up the "legacy" into a punishment for a Congress that dares to be elected Republican.
In truth, the "scorched earth" policies were the invention of our President, when his "legacy" healthcare program got his party fired from Congress, decided the Constitution needed to be re-written into a Monarchy with a paper legislature acting on his every whim.
He has not stopped campaigning in six years, and his party in Congress have abandoned their duties to their constituents in favor of playing serfs to his king. Worse, those in the Press, like Mr. Kaufman, who we protect in the First Amendment to tell us the truth, lie. A "shutdown" will be blamed on the Republicans and their leaders -- because it will get votes for the Democrats.
The "blackmail" is the President playing the "no morality" card of his fanatical press, who will spin every idiotic idea that pumps up the "legacy" into a punishment for a Congress that dares to be elected Republican.
3
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liberal
For the record, here is the definition of liberal in the online Webster dictionary. I don't see Paul Krugman name anywhere.
For the record, here is the definition of liberal in the online Webster dictionary. I don't see Paul Krugman name anywhere.
1
Who is "Mr Kaufman?"
You are gerrymandering reality.
1
The gerrymandered districts ensure a Republican congress until the next census. I'm just thinking... what if a large number of Democrats and Independents in the gerrymandered districts re-registered as Republicans and voted in the primaries against hard-core right wing candidates. They wouldn't have to vote in the general election as republicans, only in the primaries. This could change the tide in who gets to run for office and might even allow moderate republicans to win in Tea Party districts.
13
The troubling thing about the Boehner story is that it portends much worse to come. Its hard to imagine that the Republicans will not be completely crushed in nest election. The prolem is that ignorant rabble might cause a world recession over something stupikd like Planned Parenthood in the mean time.
9
Actually, it's easy to imagine that Republicans will do well in the next election. Gerrymandered districts will insure that. The Republican voters in those districts have been so mired in their own delusions, thanks to their leaders and Fox News, that they will continue to elect and re-elect the same ideological extremists Critical thinking is not a strong point for many of these voters.
10
Lessons in manipulation.
Every leader has and needs an enemy to motivate them and accumulate followers so Krugman has the Rep party. The next step is to demonify the enemy so that nobody in their right mind would agree with anything the enemy has to say.
This in a nutshell is how the Dems and Reps personify each other and maintain their power. The population is left to look at practiced politicians that are all millionaires who feed them the pablum that their ears want to hear which is typically the faults of the other side while never owning up to their own issues. So a two party system is entrenched in polar views and everything is a zero sum game. Is anyone rationale in this paradigm? Does anyone listen to the other side?
We all know the answers to those questions.
Every leader has and needs an enemy to motivate them and accumulate followers so Krugman has the Rep party. The next step is to demonify the enemy so that nobody in their right mind would agree with anything the enemy has to say.
This in a nutshell is how the Dems and Reps personify each other and maintain their power. The population is left to look at practiced politicians that are all millionaires who feed them the pablum that their ears want to hear which is typically the faults of the other side while never owning up to their own issues. So a two party system is entrenched in polar views and everything is a zero sum game. Is anyone rationale in this paradigm? Does anyone listen to the other side?
We all know the answers to those questions.
Speaking of living in an alternative reality, the take on the right is that it is wonderful that Boehner is out because he had turned into a liberal (a meaningless chant in those circles) and was just too nice to Obama. Somehow, the constituents have managed to convince themselves that House Republicans are guilty of being pro-Obama---- something no one else on planet Earth has noticed.
28
Krugman and other ignorati of both failed parties use the term "debt default" incorrectly, and it needs to stop.
A "debt default" occurs when a debtor fails to make a regular, scheduled, principal and interest payment on a debt. In the case of the US federal government, that would mean missing a payment on Treasury paper (bonds, bills, etc.).
The government takes in revenue well in excess of the relatively trivial amount required to satisfy these debt payments in perpetuity. Therefore the idea of "defaulting on the debt" is entirely Unrelated to the debt ceiling.
The only relevance the debt ceiling has to the idea of "defaulting on the debt" is that if we raise the debt ceiling and continue to incur more debt, the amount of those regular principal and interest payments will rise and thus will become MORE difficult to satisfy.
The false notion that one must raise the debt ceiling to forestall a "debt default" is like saying that one must purchase ten new high-definition televisions with a credit card to avoid defaulting on one's credit card debt.
Sadly I doubt that Mr. Krugman will have the decency to address this fallacy either in his column or in his blog.
A "debt default" occurs when a debtor fails to make a regular, scheduled, principal and interest payment on a debt. In the case of the US federal government, that would mean missing a payment on Treasury paper (bonds, bills, etc.).
The government takes in revenue well in excess of the relatively trivial amount required to satisfy these debt payments in perpetuity. Therefore the idea of "defaulting on the debt" is entirely Unrelated to the debt ceiling.
The only relevance the debt ceiling has to the idea of "defaulting on the debt" is that if we raise the debt ceiling and continue to incur more debt, the amount of those regular principal and interest payments will rise and thus will become MORE difficult to satisfy.
The false notion that one must raise the debt ceiling to forestall a "debt default" is like saying that one must purchase ten new high-definition televisions with a credit card to avoid defaulting on one's credit card debt.
Sadly I doubt that Mr. Krugman will have the decency to address this fallacy either in his column or in his blog.
4
The fallacy is yours the debt ceiling is to pay for spending already authorize which includes current debt payments (principle + interests). That is why the debt ceiling need to go up in order to not default. The debt ceiling does not allow incurring more debt that happens in the budget the debt ceiling is an inane limit that should be implied by the budget submitted but is not due to historical happenstance. Most other civilized countries just have a budget and no debt ceiling.
14
Or we could fund the government with tax collection as has been done throughout human history. Or deny the need for taxation and incur debt.
Default is when the bills are not paid. When the government runs out of money - because it does not employ enough people to effectively collect taxes - the government goes into default. Not paying government employees, such as law enforcement agents, and not paying government vendors, are not really options. They are simply other forms of default.
It is elementary that the government must employ people - government spending to create government jobs - to maintain an efficient public administration. It is obvious that more government spending is needed to build public infrastructure, maintain national defense, provide health care and education for a healthy, productive, technological country.
The alternative of ignorance and illness is more expensive.
Default is when you run out of money because you didn't collect enough. It happens if you have a Tea Party caucus that doesn't know that two plus two equals four.
Default is when the bills are not paid. When the government runs out of money - because it does not employ enough people to effectively collect taxes - the government goes into default. Not paying government employees, such as law enforcement agents, and not paying government vendors, are not really options. They are simply other forms of default.
It is elementary that the government must employ people - government spending to create government jobs - to maintain an efficient public administration. It is obvious that more government spending is needed to build public infrastructure, maintain national defense, provide health care and education for a healthy, productive, technological country.
The alternative of ignorance and illness is more expensive.
Default is when you run out of money because you didn't collect enough. It happens if you have a Tea Party caucus that doesn't know that two plus two equals four.
8
The notion of a "debt ceiling" is outdated as there is no obligation to issue any debt (a hangover idea from the gold-standard days) - except for the financial sector and huge "corporate welfare" that 12-figure annual interest payments to them on the Treasury instruments pays (and they are of course loath to give up). Imagine the reaction if the majority of Americans realized the scam referred to as the "national debt" that is being perpetrated on them. Another point that should be made is there is zero connection between the amount of fiscal deficits incurred by the federal government and the amount of bonds that are issued - and there is nothing like $18 trillion of those bonds currently outstanding. You are all being lied to on a daily basis - and both parties keep the lie going. Paul Krugman (a neo-Keynesian) has demonstrated over the years that he - despite being closer to reality than anyone at the WSJ or other "conservative" outlets - does not entirely grasp modern money.
1
."There was and is a strong consensus among economists that a temporary period of deficit spending can help mitigate an economic slump."
"Strong consensus among economists!" Does that mean they emit a storng odor? And what is this "temporary period of deficit spending?" Under the malodorous influence of Keynesian pseudo-economics, the government has operated in the red 45 of the last 50 years. Trying to spend its way to prosperity has worked as well for the government as it has for individuals. The resulting $19 trillion government debt is the reason the economy is suffering.
Down with Keynes! Up with Mises!
"Strong consensus among economists!" Does that mean they emit a storng odor? And what is this "temporary period of deficit spending?" Under the malodorous influence of Keynesian pseudo-economics, the government has operated in the red 45 of the last 50 years. Trying to spend its way to prosperity has worked as well for the government as it has for individuals. The resulting $19 trillion government debt is the reason the economy is suffering.
Down with Keynes! Up with Mises!
5
The national debt has boomed during trickle down supply side Reaganomics. In 1980 debt was about a trillion. All presidents from Washington to Carter. Reagan nearly trippled it and W about doubled it. This is not a Keynesian problem. Reaganomics lowers taxes, i.e. revenue, but continuing to spend creating huge budget deficits.keep convincing people that we're in grave peril at every turn and that we need to spend half a trillion in defense every year. That will work. Stop being disingenuous and keep worrying about inconsequential issues like abortion.
9
"Strong consensus among economists!" Does that mean they emit a storng odor?
This comment is ridiculous on its face (and spelling). All that follows is of a piece.
This comment is ridiculous on its face (and spelling). All that follows is of a piece.
Reagonomics is Keynesian economics lite.
Thank you, Professor Krugman, for spelling out the history of Republican obstructionism with this president. When Hilliary Clinton spoke of "the vast right wing conspiracy," Republicans were "outed." The result was, and continues to be, a rain of propaganda that would have awed Jozef Goebbels. Thus, in a country where Civics has not been a required subject in many schools for many years, voters are unaware of either their rights or their responsibilities for The common good.
The result of Speaker Boehner's resignation remain to be seen.
I remain "very, very afraid."
The result of Speaker Boehner's resignation remain to be seen.
I remain "very, very afraid."
27
Missing from the arguments below is the simple fact that an institution that is unable to produce a plan (budget) on time for two decades MAY have a few problems that need addressing. Every business has groups within it that have differing views of priorities for eg R&D, marketing spend, investment vs short term profits. These are worked through, often in inelegant ways, because generally there is a longer term view of success that can be agreed upon and thus short term compromises that can be made. As a relatively objective immigrant (legal Donald) I am unable to clearly articulate to my friends "at home" what the long term goals of either party are. If it is for the rich to get richer logic and history may suggest there is a limit to this before there is a revolution. If it is equality for all history seems to suggest that may not work either. My simple view is that few people of either party would proclaim equality of opportunity as a bad thing. For that to be realistic and for the now defunct American Dream to be true (the French have greater social mobility than the U.S.) there needs to be hope. I see none when two parties argue on "principle" based on no clear goal.
5
Perhaps we should not live with a GOP gone mad. Maybe we should consider letting these extreme right wingers who are predominantly from southern states go their own way. Why should we have to tolerate them or suffer under their ideology and ignorance. Rick perry often spoke of secession.
14
Perry dropped out. As a blue person in a red state, I ask you not to abandon us to the likes of Ted Crud, Carly Fiorina, and the rest of the clown car. Please don't eject us from the union; just place these candidates in a mental institution where they belong. They are dangers to themselves and others. We need the USA to save us from their idiocy. I have voted for years but it doesn't do any good; I still lose. Texas is the crotch of the nation and some of us can't afford to leave. PLEASE, PLEASE don't abandon us in our hour of need. Some of us don't want to secede. My ancestors fought in the American Revolution. I made the mistake of going to work for the state of Texas when I was young and dumb because my Dad told me it would be a secure job and now that I am old, I can't afford to leave. There are others like me here. We need help; we are tired of living in a state which is a national embarrassment. And no, I don't believe that the U.S. Army plans to round us all up when it conducts routine training maneuvers and imprison us in Walmarts. Most of the people who vote for the clown car can be found shopping there anyway. They are known as the people of Walmart and unfortunately, they vote. They also watch "Duck Dynasty." Enough said.
Why would they want to secede when, because their opposition refuses to stand up to them, they can just take the whole thing? They don't want to run away; they want to conquer and dominate. Who would bet against them when their only opposition is liberals/progressives/Democrats?
1
Why do Americans continue to vote for people in the bizarre and destructive Republican Party, against their own self-interest, no less? Mencken's word "Boobocracy" comes to mind.
10
They actually believe all the divisive garbage the Tea Party has thrown at them. All they really care about are their guns and prayer in schools. They don't actually pay attention to any of the actual issues. A lot of them actually believe in the doctored Planned Parenthood video and God forbid that any of these idiots stop reproducing. Go to Walmart and have an epiphany. The American population is breeding itself into incurable dumbness.
1
Krugman: "Yes, the G.O.P. has become an 'insurgent outlier' that is 'ideologically extreme' and 'unmoved by conventional understanding of facts, evidence and science'."
In other words, they have become a faith-based entity analogous to a cult.
In other words, they have become a faith-based entity analogous to a cult.
26
Become? If "becoming" includes "has been that way for 50 - 60 years," then I suppose they've "become" faith-based cult.
Blackmail is when you coerce someone by threatening to reveal a secret. This is simply extortion.
12
To me "Boehner" was always a Scandinavian word for beans (with an ö). The speech that sticks in my mind was his "Hell no, you can't," a hissy fit of a declaration of war on Obama--and on the people who elected the POTUS.
8
If, indeed, we are not to be living in the real End Times, it is the responsibility of every rational American to speak up forcefully against the pervading darkness spreading across the USA. The lunatic fringe that is trying to shout down the voices of reason depend on the silence of good citizens. We can not leave it to people like Dr. Krugman alone to fight the good fight. They will merely bring 10 megaphones to his one. It is time for all of us to speak out against the lies and distortions perpetrated by those who seek to destroy American democracy for their own short-term gains. Mount your metaphors, citizens. To the barricades!
29
In 2017 Krugman will be imploring the Democratic minority to obstruct Republican legislation in any way possible. Shutting down the government will become a noble endeavor for the Dems. All the result of a Republican president.
2
Doubtful, because most Democrats are more intelligent, constructive, and empathetic than that. They are not the group of angry 12-year-old boys the GOP has become.
This assertion has no basis in facts. The democrats has never threatened to shut down the government like the GOP has even during the reign of error of GWB.
Democrats don't shut down the government. That is solely a Republican tactic.
You have to wonder why John Boehner waited this long to throw in the towel. Was it the perks of the grand Speaker' office, the illusion of power? It can't have been fun getting up there and making absurd statements in between all those votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
We can hope that it was the Pope's words as well as his presence, and maybe some compassion for Kevin McCarthy that inspired the Speaker to quit now and give five weeks' notice. If he's able to do just what the Pope suggested, sit down with Nancy Pelosi to figure out how to raise the debt ceiling, save the Export-Import Bank, pass the highway bill (and other critically needed and economically prudent infrastructure spending) -- as well as pass a clean budget bill -- all before the end of October and with actual bipartisan support, he can go out in a blaze of glory with the country's gratitude for his deathbed conversion to governing. While he prays for the Pope, we can all pray for him, and for the end of this infernal mess he has saddled the country with since he became Speaker.
We can hope that it was the Pope's words as well as his presence, and maybe some compassion for Kevin McCarthy that inspired the Speaker to quit now and give five weeks' notice. If he's able to do just what the Pope suggested, sit down with Nancy Pelosi to figure out how to raise the debt ceiling, save the Export-Import Bank, pass the highway bill (and other critically needed and economically prudent infrastructure spending) -- as well as pass a clean budget bill -- all before the end of October and with actual bipartisan support, he can go out in a blaze of glory with the country's gratitude for his deathbed conversion to governing. While he prays for the Pope, we can all pray for him, and for the end of this infernal mess he has saddled the country with since he became Speaker.
13
Dr. Krugman, you have nailed it. Right on its ugly head.
27
When Dr. Krugman writes: ". . . in early 2009, when a newly inaugurated President Obama was trying to cope with the disastrous recession that began under his predecessor," it would have been a good idea if PK had named that "predecessor," who happened to be President George. W. Bush.
President George W. Bush – in fact, the Bush family in general -- gets away with far too much.
Yes, the Boehner story matters, but the story of the Bush family would-be-presidents matters even more.
And, why do I say that?
Because, right now, George's brother Jeb (whose last name must not be mentioned!) Is running and hoping to be president. Jeb Bush has not only refrained from mentioning or even acknowledging his brother's disastrous presidential policies, he has hired 23 or 24 of brother George's top advisors as his own advisors.
So, if Jeb Bush were to become president, it is a safe bet -- the kind you could take to the bank -- that he would follow and/or implement policies that are as bad as, if not worse than, President George W. Bush's horrible policies.
That's why we need to connect the dots, name names, and explain what Bushes do when they have power -- they ruin things!
It's awful enough that the Republicans control both Houses of Congress; the last thing we need is another Bush as president.
President George W. Bush – in fact, the Bush family in general -- gets away with far too much.
Yes, the Boehner story matters, but the story of the Bush family would-be-presidents matters even more.
And, why do I say that?
Because, right now, George's brother Jeb (whose last name must not be mentioned!) Is running and hoping to be president. Jeb Bush has not only refrained from mentioning or even acknowledging his brother's disastrous presidential policies, he has hired 23 or 24 of brother George's top advisors as his own advisors.
So, if Jeb Bush were to become president, it is a safe bet -- the kind you could take to the bank -- that he would follow and/or implement policies that are as bad as, if not worse than, President George W. Bush's horrible policies.
That's why we need to connect the dots, name names, and explain what Bushes do when they have power -- they ruin things!
It's awful enough that the Republicans control both Houses of Congress; the last thing we need is another Bush as president.
27
The title of the Mann and Ornstein book is "It's Even Worse Than It Looks," not "It's Even Worse Than You Think."
4
"Every country has the government it deserves" - Joseph_de_Maistre
6
Do you realize how much time it takes to wade through the lies?
To any rational person, the GOP is obviously a crazy and dysfunctional, far-out- on-the-fringe ideological organization. But then, didn't they take over both houses of Congress in the last election?
What does that say about America? Not anything good. Basically it's a testament that many of the people who live in America are self-centered, greedy, superstitious, anti-intellectual, anti-scientific, militaristic, violence-loving jerks.
It's possible that such people are not the majority. But the majority in that case is so irresponsible that they let the haters dictate policy in this country by refusing to exercise their duty to vote. Every day I become more critical of the country I was born in.
What does that say about America? Not anything good. Basically it's a testament that many of the people who live in America are self-centered, greedy, superstitious, anti-intellectual, anti-scientific, militaristic, violence-loving jerks.
It's possible that such people are not the majority. But the majority in that case is so irresponsible that they let the haters dictate policy in this country by refusing to exercise their duty to vote. Every day I become more critical of the country I was born in.
27
Well, it's actually more along the lines, the private middle class is hurting, and they are watching their tax dollars often support jobs they only dream of, so they do what every red -blooded Anerican does, scream against more taxes. Little does anyone consider how those tax dollars keep us all going.
Thank you, Dr. Krugman. Long have I wondered what lay behind that bland face (of Boehner).
5
Judging from the reactions of some of the obviously "conservative" remarks from the tea (or is it koolaid) drinkers, I suspect that Dr. Krugman has hit rather too close to the truth of the matter of Boehner's poor handling of his office. Even with his clear pandering to the most extreme elements of his cucus, they never backed him or believed that he was a "real" conservative despite his clear history in Congress. I can't wait to see what happen next.
8
It's amazing how the GOP manufactures "scandals" out of trivia, while ignoring the true malpractice of their members, like Bush's tax cuts during wars, incompetently prosecuted wars, torture, 9/11, Katrina response, Jeb Bush's history of selling his name to felons, etc.
Facts don't matter. You must show support for your tribe so that you have a group to belong to.
Facts don't matter. You must show support for your tribe so that you have a group to belong to.
14
Krugman says it all in his last paragraph. The "madness" is what's dangerous, and it is an apt word for what is happening, namely, how "mad" some people are. What are they so angry about? It boggles the imagination.
5
I think if anyone gets an idea like the government shutdown so squarely into their head, and so obsesses with that idea for long enough, tries to do it again and again yet fails, convinces themselves contrary to all good sense that it is somehow necessary and good and the only way forward (like just ripping off a scab) despite any reasonable rationale...they will eventually do it, even if only to spite themselves.
2
Another black mark on Boehner's tenure is his cowardice in not bringing to the floor of the House the comprehensive immigration bill passed with BIPARTISAN support in the Senate in 2014. The House would have approved the bill with a huge majority but cowardly John didn't want to ruffle the feathers of the Tea Party crazies in his caucus so he never brought it up for a vote.
The result is an immigration mess that the nativists like Trump and the Tea Party are now exploiting with bigoted zeal and gut wrenching uncertainty for millions of families whose legal status is in a world that would make Kafka cringe.
Thanks John.
The result is an immigration mess that the nativists like Trump and the Tea Party are now exploiting with bigoted zeal and gut wrenching uncertainty for millions of families whose legal status is in a world that would make Kafka cringe.
Thanks John.
8
I have my own trickle-down theory: That once the reality settles in to all the country clubs and local chambers of commerce across the nation that the Republican party of today is bad for business, the TEA party jihadists will become relegated back under the rock they have crawled out from.
Those who look at the economic data generated from right-wing policies already know this.
Those who look at the economic data generated from right-wing policies already know this.
12
Republicans comprise only 28% of the electorate. All America needs to do to relegate the GOP to its well-deserved plot in the Graveyard of History is to get off its collective backside and VOTE!!!
12
Yes voting is a good idea but in order for the majority of the country to feel that it's worthwhile it would seem to me that we need to do several things:
1] Eliminate gerrymandering probably constitutionally. Voting districts are controlled by state legislatures where the Republicans have carved out fiefdoms to their advantage. Not BTW that I believe that the Democrats are innocent of this practice either, thus some larger control is required to eliminate this practice by any political party.
2] End and roll back the attack on voting rights that the Republicans loudly pronounce is simply to eliminate voting fraud without ever having demonstrated this.
3] Pass legislation that can repeal the effects of the pernicious "Citizens United" decision. In other words allow a bit of reality to seep into the voting process by ending the travesty of equating corporations with actual human beings and having all rights thereof.
So yes get people to vote but recognize that to truly make voting more meaningful to most folks will require a lot more than simply "getting out the vote".
1] Eliminate gerrymandering probably constitutionally. Voting districts are controlled by state legislatures where the Republicans have carved out fiefdoms to their advantage. Not BTW that I believe that the Democrats are innocent of this practice either, thus some larger control is required to eliminate this practice by any political party.
2] End and roll back the attack on voting rights that the Republicans loudly pronounce is simply to eliminate voting fraud without ever having demonstrated this.
3] Pass legislation that can repeal the effects of the pernicious "Citizens United" decision. In other words allow a bit of reality to seep into the voting process by ending the travesty of equating corporations with actual human beings and having all rights thereof.
So yes get people to vote but recognize that to truly make voting more meaningful to most folks will require a lot more than simply "getting out the vote".
1
Never has a double entendre been more meaningful than "Republican base."
7
The right-wingtea-party members who infest our government are clones of the house UN-American activities committee that America somehow lived through last century. There is exactly as much substance in what this group of dangerous bozos are using to blackmail us as what was used by McCarthy and his thugs. I am not too optimistic about this current group of propagandists going away soon, because the previous group of bozos had their start in 1918 with the Overman committee followed by groups of various names, each with increasing power to spread their lies, perpatrate blackmail on us and culminating(finally!) with McCarthy and then the whole house of evil cards falling apart in the 50s -- over 30 years!
Although these two groups were dealing with a different set of issues -- McCarthy's to fight the largely non-existent threat of communism and the tea party to basically get rid of government so they can keep all of their money and do basically anything they want without oversight -- but both groups basically used the same playbook that Adolph Hitlers propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, would greatly approve of.
If this tea-evil is with us that long, I do not think this country can survive.
Although these two groups were dealing with a different set of issues -- McCarthy's to fight the largely non-existent threat of communism and the tea party to basically get rid of government so they can keep all of their money and do basically anything they want without oversight -- but both groups basically used the same playbook that Adolph Hitlers propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, would greatly approve of.
If this tea-evil is with us that long, I do not think this country can survive.
8
I agree wholeheartedly. I was a kid when my parents were watching the McCarthy hearings on TV and got an M.A. in history back in the Dark Ages. Most people are unaware of the incidents you mention because our schools no longer teach history and civics. I am appalled at some of what I hear from the young ones now and at what they don't know. On the other hand, some are eager for knowledge; I attended a Bernie Sanders rally and met some young ones who were fascinated that I could remember Eisenhower. I got assaulted with questions and was flattered to be asked. They are hungry for knowledge but it's been kept from them in a test-crazy, feel-good environment. They are our only hope and it may not be enough. I hope more people read your intelligent and enlightening comments. You are 100% correct.
Right-on Dr. Krugman, give em HELL
9
Thank you, Mr. Krugman. You looked at a bunch of complex dark matters and put the flashlight just where it needed to be.
6
The republicans have been trying to ruin this country since goldwater, getting a little worse all the time. It is now probably going to get even worse which makes it vital to have a democrat in the white house and hopefully a majority in the senate. The ignorant voters in this country have no idea what true winger control would be like.
8
The Dems have done the same things over the years. Doesn't make it right but it is the pot calling the kettle black, Professor.
2
Please enumerate the times that the Democrats have tried to shut down the government; "over the years".
1
Ah yes--the eternal claim of cheats, liars and crooks: "The other side does it, too."
Prove it.
Prove it.
1
Really? Go ahead and name ONE Republican policy over the last 35 years, that hS benefitted
more than just Big Business, Wall Street, and the so-called 1%.
Take your time. You'll need to give this one some thought.
more than just Big Business, Wall Street, and the so-called 1%.
Take your time. You'll need to give this one some thought.
1
Boehner and McConnell are know-nothings, surely, just like every other Republican congressperson we have today. American voters must keep their eyes on the ball and sweep this obstructive, destructive, underhanded, cheating, lying pile of political dirt right on out of Washington, and right out of every red state. I am revolted, and frightened, by what they have done to our country. If I could vote for President Obama a third time, I would do it in a heartbeat.
12
THIRD PARTY AROUND THE CORNER: The majority of the voters of the Republican Party must be getting more and more frustrated by the day.
It appears to me that the craziness of the far right of the Party is driving a wedge between them and the rest of the Party, and that the inevitable result is going to be another loss of the presidential election.
I think the only solution for the Party is for the majority to drive out the crazies, and function as the strong conservative but politically responsible party that is its tradition. They will have to build itself up again, and that will take some time. But in the meantime, the crazies, without the power of the rest of the Party, should dissolve into a small, irrelevant group of malcontents whose numbers will quickly become reduced by the passing of the old generation who are a major part of this craziness.
If the Republican majority leadership doesn't take on this problem of dealing with its elements with whom they have irreconcilable differences now, the Party will break up anyway, they'll loose a lot of their members to the Democrat Party, and some sort of party will emerge from the ruins over which they will have little control.
Let's get on with it folks before it's too late and you lose your chance to control what emerges from there ashes of the Party.
It appears to me that the craziness of the far right of the Party is driving a wedge between them and the rest of the Party, and that the inevitable result is going to be another loss of the presidential election.
I think the only solution for the Party is for the majority to drive out the crazies, and function as the strong conservative but politically responsible party that is its tradition. They will have to build itself up again, and that will take some time. But in the meantime, the crazies, without the power of the rest of the Party, should dissolve into a small, irrelevant group of malcontents whose numbers will quickly become reduced by the passing of the old generation who are a major part of this craziness.
If the Republican majority leadership doesn't take on this problem of dealing with its elements with whom they have irreconcilable differences now, the Party will break up anyway, they'll loose a lot of their members to the Democrat Party, and some sort of party will emerge from the ruins over which they will have little control.
Let's get on with it folks before it's too late and you lose your chance to control what emerges from there ashes of the Party.
1
Krugman, you don't get it! Boehner has the biggest Republican Majority in 100 years! You think it's 'cause people like Obamacare, Fast and Furious, Benghazi, and Lois Learner? Every one of those elected, promised reform. Yet we still have Obamacare, no special Prosecutors, and he has had to resort to conspiring with Democrats against his own party to pass anything. Make no mistake. Boehner wasn't fired for doing too much to thwart Obama and allow those elected Republicans to carry out the will of the people who elected them! He was removed for being, at best, a potted plant, and at worst a lap dog to this Administration. As for Blackmail, It is this Administration, in a budget crisis, who will resort to paying more to close the National Mall than leave it open, Pay National Park employees to Cite people for taking pictures of Mt. Rushmore during the shutdown and insist on the shutdown of Military Academy Football games even though expenses are paid for by private boosters! The White House quickly becomes the Spite House when it doesn't get it's way. And from Boehner, in the face of this behavior? ....crickets !
2
Only the Executive Branch can shut down the government. Congress has no ability to shut down the government. Enforcing the Debt Ceiling or de-funding Planned Abortionhood cannot possible shut down the government. That can only happen if Barack Obama decides to throw a hissy fit. The last time he only closed a few veteran';s memorials because he hates the mostly white Greatest Generation. Besides, you could actually shut down 75% of the government and no one would notice. So go ahead, Obama, make my day.
2
Congress shuts down the federal government by starving it of funding. If the Executive Branch cannot pay all of the federal employees because Congress won't authorize the use of federal funds, the government is essentially "shut down," yeah? So when the President shuts down veterans' memorials, it was because he had no way of paying the federal employees who work there. And just to review... WHY couldn't those employees be paid? Because Congress (specifically the conservative members) was holding federal expenditures hostage as leverage in a debate about raising the debt ceiling. ALSO, bear in mind that its Congress that decides which portions of the federal government to fund. They could have set aside money specifically for the memorials if they cared. The President would only have been able to use it for that purpose. Instead, they decided to starve highly visible government facilities to show they were playing hardball with the Executive Branch (as opposed to say, cutting paychecks to Congress). This is no different from the manner in which Congress COULD control the military even though the President is Commander-in-Chief. Sure, the President can give an order, but if Congress refuses to pay for troops, equipment, etc., what difference does it make? It's the same for the entire federal government. Congress controls the "purse strings" as one of the ultimate checks against the Executive Branch.
1
Go ahead. Shut down the FAA, the FDA, the CDC, the CIA, the FBI, Homeland Security, ICE, the DOT, NASA, NOAA, etc. and see what happens. This is what will happen when anti-government silliness rears its ugly head. Not only is it unpatriotic to hate one's own government, it is stupid. You will have planes falling out of the skies, outbreaks of listeria, polio, Ebola, TB, the Russians, Chinese, and various Middle-Eastern terrorist groups will be spying out the country and bombing us, the transportation infrastructure will be worse than it is, the oceans will be polluted, but you won't have any interference from the government. Oh, and you won't get your mail to receive the fat checks from your hedge fund investments.
Why cut PP's funding at all? It is a fact- (sorry if that eludes everyone) that Federal tax dollars cannot be spent on abortions- which count for 3% of PP's budget anyway. And that fetal tissue is not SOLD - it is donated and the costs associated with transportation, etc... are what is paid back. Minimal costs $ 100 or so.
Fetal tissue has been used since 1934 to great success for research . Polio, Rubella, Diabetes, etc... can all hang their hat on fetal tissue research.
To even give weight to a overly doctored video thats spout outright lies is insane.
It's not pretty but neither is organ donation. Bodies are kept "live" until organs can be harvested. Then that cute cheerleader or your high school football star has his/her chest cracked and their eyes, heart, kidneys and lungs removed - you want to watch the process or see the results. Its all voluntary and people know going in that they are saving lives with their pain.
Fetal tissue has been used since 1934 to great success for research . Polio, Rubella, Diabetes, etc... can all hang their hat on fetal tissue research.
To even give weight to a overly doctored video thats spout outright lies is insane.
It's not pretty but neither is organ donation. Bodies are kept "live" until organs can be harvested. Then that cute cheerleader or your high school football star has his/her chest cracked and their eyes, heart, kidneys and lungs removed - you want to watch the process or see the results. Its all voluntary and people know going in that they are saving lives with their pain.
11
It is not a fact. So please don't state your opinions as fact. The tax dollars go into their general fund to be dispersed to the individual locations. Donations and revenue go in the same fund. Once those funds are comingled, there is no way to say that Federal Funds aren't used for abortion. But you just keep defending them since you seem to like abortion so much. Love how you laid out the whole process for selling the body parts. You must work for them. You even know the reimbursement for selling the body parts. Nice.
I believe we are seeing the dissolution of the modern Republican Party. What will come in its place? That's the scary part.
5
The origin of the faux grass roots tea party was corporate and planned. The Tea (taxed-enough-already) Party, with its tenuous allusion to the patriotic Boston Tea Party, was started by the Koch Bros. (Americans for Prosperity) and Dick Armey (FreedomWorks). It is Libertarian (unbridled, no regulation capitalism) small-government (Grover Norquist aka "drown government in a bathtub"), and anti-tax (of corporations and the rich). Sarah Palin, Marco Rubio, Michelle Bachmann, and Ted Cruz are among its practitioners, as are Carly Fiorina and Donald "Birther" Trump.
Closely studied, one can see that it is the antithesis of what a large, problem-riddled, complex society like ours needs to solve its problems. Yet, it continues to make inroads, by using ant-tax, small-government propaganda very effectively and by exploiting rural House districts where voters are uneducated, poor, and fear minorities and government influence. Using the tactics of Hitler, they aim for nothing short of anarchy, at which point they will swoop in and enable their corporate masters to wrest control of our democracy and put themselves in total power.
Look around you and you will see evidence of just how powerful these people are: guns almost everywhere in public places, like schools, college campuses, churches, restaurants, Walmarts; charter (private) schools replacing public schools; private corporate prisons; private contractors taking over military duties; deregulation of once-public utilities.
Closely studied, one can see that it is the antithesis of what a large, problem-riddled, complex society like ours needs to solve its problems. Yet, it continues to make inroads, by using ant-tax, small-government propaganda very effectively and by exploiting rural House districts where voters are uneducated, poor, and fear minorities and government influence. Using the tactics of Hitler, they aim for nothing short of anarchy, at which point they will swoop in and enable their corporate masters to wrest control of our democracy and put themselves in total power.
Look around you and you will see evidence of just how powerful these people are: guns almost everywhere in public places, like schools, college campuses, churches, restaurants, Walmarts; charter (private) schools replacing public schools; private corporate prisons; private contractors taking over military duties; deregulation of once-public utilities.
8
The Tea Party proves the aphorism that "every complex problem has solutions that are simple, obvious, and wrong."
You are correct about the origins of the Tea Party, although I had, mercifully, forgotten about Dick Armey (another Texas embarrassment-SIGH). Your comments are all too true. It's really scary.
1
“Mr. Obama is looking more and more like a highly successful president.” Granted Obama has had to deal with A G.O.P. gone mad, but when federal spending was desperately needed in the 1930s, F.D.R. informed the public with his fireside (radio) chants, taking advantage of what his cousin Teddy called the Bully Pulpit.
Obama has failed to inform the public about the extent of the G.O.P.’s madness, which has gotten steadily worse during his tenure as President.
Obama has failed to inform the public about the extent of the G.O.P.’s madness, which has gotten steadily worse during his tenure as President.
4
It is time for secondary schools to seriously teach civics, as Sandra Day O'Connor has been preaching since she (unfortunately) left the Supreme Court. I also think economics should be part of the math curriculum. We desperately need a more educated population in areas that effect voting and understanding otherwise a graduate is just a dupe for these people. And gentlemen and ladies stay out of politics, don't run for election, if you don't value government. But oh how the populous wants the government to stand by them when disaster strikes. Right now it is not "God bless America" but "God save America" from the evil that's abroad in this land. If you feel as Dr. Krugman and I do, then get out and vote in every election. Our hope is in the young, when old white people like me fade away. But we must do a better job of educating the young.
5
Sandra Day O'Connor could have used a good, stiff lesson in "civics" herself, before she voted to put "W" in the White House!
@Ron Wilson
Re "his line that deficit spending ad infinitum will be good for the country"
The deficit under Obama has decreased year on year compared to where it was when Bush left when it was 10% of GDP. Now it´s 2% of GDP and could well be fully eliminated by the end of his term. It has been shrinking at the fastest rate since WW2 de-mobilization and it would be even moreso if the GOP stopped deliberately blocking/hampering deficit reducing initiatives such as cap and trade, the dream act, closing tax loop-holes, and Obamacare.
Re "his line that deficit spending ad infinitum will be good for the country"
The deficit under Obama has decreased year on year compared to where it was when Bush left when it was 10% of GDP. Now it´s 2% of GDP and could well be fully eliminated by the end of his term. It has been shrinking at the fastest rate since WW2 de-mobilization and it would be even moreso if the GOP stopped deliberately blocking/hampering deficit reducing initiatives such as cap and trade, the dream act, closing tax loop-holes, and Obamacare.
5
GOP, Grant Our Privilege, the party of inhumanity, insanity, and insecurity. Let hatred, fear, and war reign in the USA.
7
It sounds harsh to describe the Republican party in terms more commonly used for mental patients but
we have to deal honestly with a movement that now favors brinksmanship over compromise. This country became great based on congress members giving in a little to gain a lot. Now the GOP takes extreme positions and won't bend for thr good of the country. Shame on them.
we have to deal honestly with a movement that now favors brinksmanship over compromise. This country became great based on congress members giving in a little to gain a lot. Now the GOP takes extreme positions and won't bend for thr good of the country. Shame on them.
4
Strange things happen when sociopaths get together.
Communist China under dictator Xi and ISIS terrorists has no better friends that the U.S. Republican Party.
The 21st century will be the Chinese.
The 22nd century will belong to no one as there won't be much left to own.
The 21st century will be the Chinese.
The 22nd century will belong to no one as there won't be much left to own.
1
"John Boehner was a terrible, very bad, no good speaker of the House."
This is far too gentle. Stop pulling your punches.
This is far too gentle. Stop pulling your punches.
5
The President could put a stop to the GOP and TP madness in a trice, if he wanted to. The actions of the far right are nothing short of blackmail.
Blackmail is illegal. They are well organized. All Obama need doo is invoke the Racketerring And Corrupt Organizations Act. Under RICO actions against a government, city, state or national, are plainly covered. Individuals named would be arrested, imprisoned, and their organization investigated.
Calling the RICO Act is a bold step, but I feel it is very much needed to prevent this action and further actions in the future. It has stopped the Mafia in their tracks. Time to apply it to the Tea Party *and* their Republican sycophants.
Blackmail is illegal. They are well organized. All Obama need doo is invoke the Racketerring And Corrupt Organizations Act. Under RICO actions against a government, city, state or national, are plainly covered. Individuals named would be arrested, imprisoned, and their organization investigated.
Calling the RICO Act is a bold step, but I feel it is very much needed to prevent this action and further actions in the future. It has stopped the Mafia in their tracks. Time to apply it to the Tea Party *and* their Republican sycophants.
4
While no reasonable person can disagree with this and one fears the trend line of the GOP becoming more shrill, more fanatical, and more willing to push boundaries with each election cycle, one has to ask, where are the Democrats? Why do they have so much trouble getting good candidates for governors or the presidency? I suspect this has to do with the breadth of the GOP revolutionary operation that works from dog catcher on up to develop talent while suppressing their opposites. The lazy, diffident attitude of Democrats is unconscionable in the face of the threat the GOP faces to your country and the world. Universal health care should have been a moral war for Democrats. Instead those trying to keep the working poor sick and bankrupt had the audacity to take up the moral flag while Democrats argued like polite accountants.
In America those who care win. You sell guns like popcorn and rich people accrue all new wealth not because they are great ideas but because their advocates fight to the death for them. Democrats have to stop acting as if their policies are so good they sell themselves. They had better start caring or they are in big trouble.
In America those who care win. You sell guns like popcorn and rich people accrue all new wealth not because they are great ideas but because their advocates fight to the death for them. Democrats have to stop acting as if their policies are so good they sell themselves. They had better start caring or they are in big trouble.
7
The so-called Republican Party is not a political party in the historic sense. It is a gang of malcontents engaged in a fight with each other to see who cam be the craziest and who can do the most to undermine the US Government. Many have convinced a lot of Americans that they will be happier with no government at all.
We have seen the early fruits of these beliefs and these fruits have been rotten.
We have seen the early fruits of these beliefs and these fruits have been rotten.
5
I find it no coincidence that the biggest cheers for Mr. Boehner's departure are the militant Tea Party faction and doctrinaire liberals like Prof. Krugman.
John Boehner may not have been perfect as Speaker, but trapped between the intransigent Pres. Obama and the even more stubborn Tea Party faction, Mr. Boehner actually did the best he could, and may be remembered by historians in a more positive way that some like Prof. Krugman would have us believe.
Upshot here is that it is the Tea Party faction and liberals like Prof. Krugman with his ilk, despite their ideological differences, who constitute the militant expositors of political thought in this nation today.
And drove a good man and able politician like John Boehner out of office. I thank him for this service to our country and with him good luck with the rest of his life.
John Boehner may not have been perfect as Speaker, but trapped between the intransigent Pres. Obama and the even more stubborn Tea Party faction, Mr. Boehner actually did the best he could, and may be remembered by historians in a more positive way that some like Prof. Krugman would have us believe.
Upshot here is that it is the Tea Party faction and liberals like Prof. Krugman with his ilk, despite their ideological differences, who constitute the militant expositors of political thought in this nation today.
And drove a good man and able politician like John Boehner out of office. I thank him for this service to our country and with him good luck with the rest of his life.
2
Name one actual example of President Obama being "intransigent".
Kind of makes me miss Richard "We're all Keynesians now" Nixon.
While I agree with the Professor, I would like to hear what some "intelligent and informed" Republican would say in response. But, in scrolling through comments, I can't find any. Then the Times should find one, looking first at its own columnists, like those incubated at William F. Buckley's National Review, which started this right-wing Republican party. Well, David Brooks, what do you have to say?
And if he ducks, why not ask other contributors to what we think is madness, like talk radio's toxics, Fox's blowhards, or the whole slate of republican presidential aspirants?
And if he ducks, why not ask other contributors to what we think is madness, like talk radio's toxics, Fox's blowhards, or the whole slate of republican presidential aspirants?
6
Please, for the love of God, stop calling the lunatics in the Republican Party "conservative". There is nothing conservative about the craziness we are watching destroy the Republican Party--not that they don't deserve it--and threatening our entire government.
5
What you write is sad and true. It is easy to become angry, depressed, and cynical as one realizes that what you write is the absolute truth. I don't like for our society to be like it is. I want the American Experiment to succeed. I refuse to give up and therefore feel compelled to respond to your truth in hopes of making a better World for my grandchildren and probably before the next Presidency closes, great grandchildren.
First, I thank you for providing an education for us all with your gift for getting to the nub of our economic,social, and political systems that compose the Ameican experiment.
Reminding us of the "characterization offered by the political analysts Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein, in their book “It’s Even Worse Than You Think.” Yes, the G.O.P. has become an “insurgent outlier” that is “ideologically extreme” and “unmoved by conventional understanding of facts, evidence and science.” And Mr. Boehner did nothing to fight these tendencies. On the contrary, he catered to and fed the extremism." Says it all for Mr. Boehner and the other GOP members.
This prompts me to suggest that GOP members who are ashamed of what their party is doing can bring a positive change by telling their supporters that they cannot accept the scorched-earth obstruction strategy any longer and announce that they intend to leave the party and join the other caucus as an Independent. This could create an overnight revolution & not waste any more energy in pursuit of madness.
First, I thank you for providing an education for us all with your gift for getting to the nub of our economic,social, and political systems that compose the Ameican experiment.
Reminding us of the "characterization offered by the political analysts Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein, in their book “It’s Even Worse Than You Think.” Yes, the G.O.P. has become an “insurgent outlier” that is “ideologically extreme” and “unmoved by conventional understanding of facts, evidence and science.” And Mr. Boehner did nothing to fight these tendencies. On the contrary, he catered to and fed the extremism." Says it all for Mr. Boehner and the other GOP members.
This prompts me to suggest that GOP members who are ashamed of what their party is doing can bring a positive change by telling their supporters that they cannot accept the scorched-earth obstruction strategy any longer and announce that they intend to leave the party and join the other caucus as an Independent. This could create an overnight revolution & not waste any more energy in pursuit of madness.
6
A long time ago, the Southerners walked out of the Democratic party - the Dixiecrats. It would not surprise me if some of the tea partiers of today are not the same people or their descendants. A long time ago, I leaned to the Republican party. But after listening to Ronald Reagan repeatedly personally attacking Jimmy Carter and other Democrats, I decided I didn't want to be associated with that kind of a party.
I think it is inevitable and even necessary for the Republican party to split off the tea party group before it is totally poisoned. If not, it will be destroyed by the "highway or my way" bunch.
I think it is inevitable and even necessary for the Republican party to split off the tea party group before it is totally poisoned. If not, it will be destroyed by the "highway or my way" bunch.
3
I think you are largely correct, but the great conversion of the South from Democratic to Republican only began in the years following the civil rights acts. Arguably, it did not end until the 2014 election when most of the last major Southern Democratic representatives were replaced by Republicans. Recall that many of these Democratic candidates ran in opposition to Obama in a desperate attempt to stop the historic tide.
You might be right about the Republican Party splitting, but in our two-parties-take-all political system I am not certain either faction would ever be viable at the national level.
You might be right about the Republican Party splitting, but in our two-parties-take-all political system I am not certain either faction would ever be viable at the national level.
1
The Republican Party is so ridiculously off the beam that this lifelong liberal Democrat has managed to find some sympathy for John Boehner.
When others might make fun of Johnny the Cry Baby, who seemed to go off on some crying jag at the drop of a hat or a glass of Merlot, I found the Speaker's tear jerking endearing. Watching him as Pope Francis I addressed Congress, I was transfixed on Mr. Boehner, waiting with bated breath for what might provoke a flood of tears. In all sincerity, I believe a man who can cry at sentimental moments, a man, a Catholic, who can cry when in the presence of the Pope, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, his Church, that is a tell-tale sign that though I may be diametrically opposed to his politics, I can't help but think he is a good man whom I just happen to disagree with.
Good luck, Mr. Boehner, I may not miss you as Speaker, but as a human being, I wish you well.
DD
Manhattan
When others might make fun of Johnny the Cry Baby, who seemed to go off on some crying jag at the drop of a hat or a glass of Merlot, I found the Speaker's tear jerking endearing. Watching him as Pope Francis I addressed Congress, I was transfixed on Mr. Boehner, waiting with bated breath for what might provoke a flood of tears. In all sincerity, I believe a man who can cry at sentimental moments, a man, a Catholic, who can cry when in the presence of the Pope, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, his Church, that is a tell-tale sign that though I may be diametrically opposed to his politics, I can't help but think he is a good man whom I just happen to disagree with.
Good luck, Mr. Boehner, I may not miss you as Speaker, but as a human being, I wish you well.
DD
Manhattan
4
This is probably naïve on my part. But maybe not. Is it possible that Boehner's cooperation with the Democrats before his departure can serve as a road map for bipartisan governing going forward? I cling to the hope that there is some minority of sane Republicans in the House who are willing to break with the crazies who rule their party and make common ground with the Democratic minority to elect a Speaker who isn't beholden to the worst elements of the GOP. By putting aside partisanship for the good of all Americans, this group could render a public service of immense value.
1
Maybe one of the surest signs that an American political leader is doing a reasonably good job is that the person is being criticized from the right and the left. I find it interesting that the "right" is celebrating the demise of Speaker Boehner more than the "left." Well, that was until Dr. Krugman weighed in with his morning "grave dance."
Mr. Boehner may have been more of a mediator than an obstructionist than Dr. Krugman wants to believe. The "madness" that "consumed his party" may be the madness that has consumed America. We will not know this until the coming days of 2016.
Yes, Dr. Krugman, President Obama did win re-election against a weak opponent. But he also lost majorities in the House and Senate, not to mention state governorships and general assemblies. President Obama may have won a battle and lost a much larger war. There is every indication that the only thing that President Obama's party might win in the coming elections is the White House. Almost every other democratically elected political institution in America seems caught up in what you refer to as Mr. Boehner's "madness."
Go ahead and enjoy your chortling grave stomping, but watch out for America's toes. Mr. Boehner might be more connected to the will of the people than you wish.
Mr. Boehner may have been more of a mediator than an obstructionist than Dr. Krugman wants to believe. The "madness" that "consumed his party" may be the madness that has consumed America. We will not know this until the coming days of 2016.
Yes, Dr. Krugman, President Obama did win re-election against a weak opponent. But he also lost majorities in the House and Senate, not to mention state governorships and general assemblies. President Obama may have won a battle and lost a much larger war. There is every indication that the only thing that President Obama's party might win in the coming elections is the White House. Almost every other democratically elected political institution in America seems caught up in what you refer to as Mr. Boehner's "madness."
Go ahead and enjoy your chortling grave stomping, but watch out for America's toes. Mr. Boehner might be more connected to the will of the people than you wish.
2
There are more small Republican states than Democratic states which helps Republicans in the Senate.
For the House in 2014, Republicans got 51% of the votes but 57% of the seats.
And, of course, Bush didn't even win the popular vote his first term of 2000.
Perhaps worse is that the 2013 Immigration Reform bill passed by the Senate would have passed in the House with Republicans and Democrats.
Boehner didn't bring it up for a vote because of the 50 or so Tea Party House members who were against it. 50 House members blocked the will of the people.
And then there is 80% of the American people are in favor of gun reform but the NRA is able to block that.
This is not democracy.
For the House in 2014, Republicans got 51% of the votes but 57% of the seats.
And, of course, Bush didn't even win the popular vote his first term of 2000.
Perhaps worse is that the 2013 Immigration Reform bill passed by the Senate would have passed in the House with Republicans and Democrats.
Boehner didn't bring it up for a vote because of the 50 or so Tea Party House members who were against it. 50 House members blocked the will of the people.
And then there is 80% of the American people are in favor of gun reform but the NRA is able to block that.
This is not democracy.
Thanks once again for your tenacious dedication to intelligence. REH
3
I think it's extortion, as opposed to blackmail.
5
Planned Parenthood kills children waiting to be born. That is the inconvenient truth that liberals will not accept.
Then perhaps you'd be willing to adopt some of the unwanted children since you want to force those who are in turmoil to bring a baby forth into a potentially dangerous situation both for the mother and the child. Or maybe it is more convenient to have others struggle with life decisions you want to make for them.
Planned Parenthood provides a legal medical procedure in safe environments to prevent women from carrying to term a non-viable fetus. Your God aborts more implanted, fertilized eggs (approx 20% of all pregnancies end in spontaneous abortions) than we ever could. A teenage female is far more likely to suffer severe disease or death from live birth than from an early-term abortion.
If you hate abortion so much, why do you also oppose educating children about contraception (abstinence only sex ed)? 80% of young adults who take the "chastity pledge" are sexually active within a year and high percentages of them wind up with STDs or pregnant. Nice job, there.
Your problem is with sex, not abortion. Sex scares you, and you use sexism as control; those issues are what you can't deal with honestly. Get over your own hang ups; meanwhile, let the rest of us alone.
Don't want an abortion? Don't have one. But don't impose your bronze-age morality on the rest of us.
If you hate abortion so much, why do you also oppose educating children about contraception (abstinence only sex ed)? 80% of young adults who take the "chastity pledge" are sexually active within a year and high percentages of them wind up with STDs or pregnant. Nice job, there.
Your problem is with sex, not abortion. Sex scares you, and you use sexism as control; those issues are what you can't deal with honestly. Get over your own hang ups; meanwhile, let the rest of us alone.
Don't want an abortion? Don't have one. But don't impose your bronze-age morality on the rest of us.
They give breast exams, gyn exams, and a whole host of other services but you are fixated on the 2%.
The US debt is 19T. Just 10 years ago it was 9T. To say that Obama's slowed spending is purposefully misleading, but shutting down the Gov. is a terribly poor strategy and always backfires. Both parties fail epically.
While pundits speculate as to why John Boehner decided to suddenly announce his retirement, I've been channeling the Godfather movies. So, imagine that Boehner, a devout Catholic, met with Pope Francis in some back room at the Capitol. The Pope grabs Boehner by the shoulders and says, "Johnny, you broke my heart," and then gives him the kiss of death.
2
I'm going to disagree with you on this. The shenanigans in the House are not in the smallest sense motivated by policy, neither economic or political. They are instead motivated by self-interest. The gerrymandered political map accommodates extremism, and the Republican primary voter will vote invariably for the most conservative candidate because of bigotry. They hate Obama because he is Black, and they hate the idea of a Black president. Any Republican of a moderate stripe risks being primaried if he opposes the Cromwell right caucus, and losing his noble status.
10
It is austerity that has done the greatest damage. All else is peripheral.
Affordable Care is a watershed accomplishment that will usher in long-term improvements in several areas (not just health care). Popular or not, it is necessary to contain health care costs.
Foreign policy is still a mess, as it has been for decades, but domestic imperatives had already undermined international credibility before Mr. Obama took office (thanks, Dub'ya).
In the short-term, though, the failure of government spending to supplement (and even replace) private spending during a period of recession has prolonged the suffering of the American people through an absolutely unnecessary "gradual recovery."
Shame on Mr. Boehner and shame on the political party that he represents, and shame on the entire Washington establishment for allowing this to happen. The economic problems were easy to fix, but our "leaders" chose to play politics instead.
The basic economic policy prescriptions are simple. Only an idiot could fail to understand them clearly. Federal Reserve efforts won't work in this situation. Everyone who knows anything knows that.
Deficit spending is now, has been and for the foreseeable future will be the only effective resolution to our nation's economic weakness.
The only problem with deficit spending is making up the difference later. Let's leave that problem for later, and hold our politicians accountable for a solution when that option is available.
Let's fix the U.S. economy now!
Affordable Care is a watershed accomplishment that will usher in long-term improvements in several areas (not just health care). Popular or not, it is necessary to contain health care costs.
Foreign policy is still a mess, as it has been for decades, but domestic imperatives had already undermined international credibility before Mr. Obama took office (thanks, Dub'ya).
In the short-term, though, the failure of government spending to supplement (and even replace) private spending during a period of recession has prolonged the suffering of the American people through an absolutely unnecessary "gradual recovery."
Shame on Mr. Boehner and shame on the political party that he represents, and shame on the entire Washington establishment for allowing this to happen. The economic problems were easy to fix, but our "leaders" chose to play politics instead.
The basic economic policy prescriptions are simple. Only an idiot could fail to understand them clearly. Federal Reserve efforts won't work in this situation. Everyone who knows anything knows that.
Deficit spending is now, has been and for the foreseeable future will be the only effective resolution to our nation's economic weakness.
The only problem with deficit spending is making up the difference later. Let's leave that problem for later, and hold our politicians accountable for a solution when that option is available.
Let's fix the U.S. economy now!
6
Is this a ripe time for the formation of a viable third party?
3
Yeah and the only other choice, the Democratic Party is nearly as bad. For years I wrote off their ineffectiveness as rank incompetence, but I'm starting to suspect they're just in cahoots. Sanders might bring real change but many seem too hung up on the dreaded S label to actually consider his proposals.
Under Boehner the past two Congresses have been too of the least productive,aside from their 60 or so failed repeals of Obama care.
Now that a government shutdown this week is far less likely because
Boehner has nothing to loose for getting through a continuing resolution
that leaves Planned Parenthood funding intact,there will be those in
the media who will praise his "bravery " for falling on his sword for the good of the economy.When it's more likely he's doing this only to avoid
being blamed for the economic harm that shutdown would.Instead he'll let his successor deal with next more complex budget fight in December,and an extreme wing of his caucus very emboldened by the departure of Boehner.By then Boehner,probably now secure in whatever K Street job he lands will be enjoying too much golf to care the least that the ongoing harm the GOP is continuing to inflict on the economy is his main ,ongoing legacy.
Now that a government shutdown this week is far less likely because
Boehner has nothing to loose for getting through a continuing resolution
that leaves Planned Parenthood funding intact,there will be those in
the media who will praise his "bravery " for falling on his sword for the good of the economy.When it's more likely he's doing this only to avoid
being blamed for the economic harm that shutdown would.Instead he'll let his successor deal with next more complex budget fight in December,and an extreme wing of his caucus very emboldened by the departure of Boehner.By then Boehner,probably now secure in whatever K Street job he lands will be enjoying too much golf to care the least that the ongoing harm the GOP is continuing to inflict on the economy is his main ,ongoing legacy.
2
Stitch by stitch, the GOP works to tear the seam...Boehner's exit is just the beginning of a split to create two distinct factions of the GOP: libertarians and the know-nothings.
However, as voting blocks and demographics continue to shift and favor younger, more diverse, open-minded and well-educated millennials, the ilk of Trump, Cruz, Boehner, etc will fade into relative obscurity. It'll just take some time.
Only then can the GOP reinvent itself into a legitimate party for the 21st century....as opposed to a reactionary group of angry old white men obsessed with exploiting racism, ethnocentrism and xenophobia and fighting culture/economic wars lost in the past 40 years...
However, as voting blocks and demographics continue to shift and favor younger, more diverse, open-minded and well-educated millennials, the ilk of Trump, Cruz, Boehner, etc will fade into relative obscurity. It'll just take some time.
Only then can the GOP reinvent itself into a legitimate party for the 21st century....as opposed to a reactionary group of angry old white men obsessed with exploiting racism, ethnocentrism and xenophobia and fighting culture/economic wars lost in the past 40 years...
6
"or was he engaged in deliverate sabotage..." This leads me to urge Mr. Krugman to remind us at every opportunity of the meeting held by leading Republicans on inauguration day in Jan. 2009 to conspire to block all legislation advanced by President Obama in order sabatoge his presidency and thereby subvert democracy itself. Not only that, but among those present is who is being cited as the most likely next speaker. Kevin McCarthy. Why his episode never received the exposure, and scorn, it deserved mystifies me - reasons of false equivalency perhaps? - but it's never too late.
9
The Speaker has gone the way of Danton, but -- mercifully -- without all the blood. Let's see who steps up to play the role of Robespierre. But . . . let's see if we can't avoid the part where the only way out of the terror is to invite a strongman in.
1
The irony of the "birthers" obsession with the physical setting of President Obama's birth is that, according to the law, IT DOESN'T MATTER. There has never been any question that his mother was a U.S. citizen. As such, her offspring, regardless of the location of their birth or the citizenship of their father, are U.S. citizens under the law.
A similar situation pertains with regard to Texas Senator Ted Cruz who was born in Canada to a mother who was (purportedly) a U.S. citizen. What is especially telling about this situation is that no one has questioned Mother Cruz' citizenship. Has anyone seen HER birth certificate?
A similar situation pertains with regard to Texas Senator Ted Cruz who was born in Canada to a mother who was (purportedly) a U.S. citizen. What is especially telling about this situation is that no one has questioned Mother Cruz' citizenship. Has anyone seen HER birth certificate?
10
Bingo - I've wondered why it is that the Repubs have not questioned the birth certificate of Ted Cruz or his father or his mother and the fact that he was born in Canada. But I guess it's different when you're a Republican.
Republicans are traitors. It's that simple.
8
It may seem simplistic, yet the constant opposition to any measure put forward by Obama comes from a disguised form of racism.
5
It's not disguised.
Decent, sane Americans must unite themselves somehow and start finding ways to counter these extreme right wing power coveting zombies. How about identifying their strongholds and business supporters, then find creative ways to punish their money interests as was done with South Africa's Sun City.
5
Thanks for writing a column realistically describing what actually occurred under Boehner. He's not a statesman; he's a brinksman. The only compliment that I'm afraid he should legitimately receive is "Well, he was better than the guy that followed him."
5
So how long before Tan Man signs up with some nice Koch supported think tank or K Street influence peddler.He is just another cog in the wheel of a disgraceful period in our governmental history that will be looked upon with disbelief in the distant years.
3
Now it is undeniable that Boehner's APPEASEMENT of the crazies constituting a minority of his caucus, which began as the Professor describes, simply emboldened them. He has now become a victim of the cancer on the country that he had the power to oppose. The chickens have come home to roost.
5
Krugman: "...(D)espite all Mr. Boehner’s efforts to bring him down, Mr. Obama is looking more and more like a highly successful president. For the base... this is a nightmare."
Since the election of Obama, the Republicans in Congress have placed politics over advancing the welfare of the American people. They have no interest in advancing the "common good" that Pope Francis, in his address to Congress, reminded them is the purpose of being legislators: "You (members of Congress) are called to defend and preserve the dignity of your fellow citizens in the tireless and demanding pursuit of the common good, for this is the chief aim of all politics."
Since the election of Obama, the Republicans in Congress have placed politics over advancing the welfare of the American people. They have no interest in advancing the "common good" that Pope Francis, in his address to Congress, reminded them is the purpose of being legislators: "You (members of Congress) are called to defend and preserve the dignity of your fellow citizens in the tireless and demanding pursuit of the common good, for this is the chief aim of all politics."
10
Great article, Dr. Krugman. Clearly, the GOP has gone mad, but the question is what came first the GOP's slide into hysteria or the hysteria Fox News and conservative radio propagate to increase their ratings? One cannot discount the toxic effects conservative media has had in nurturing the GOP's extremists. The Democrat Party's leadership has been cowed from outright supporting President Obama, for they didn't even make the previous government shutdown a campaign issue.
President Obama's political foes decry the loss of "America's standing," which apparently means the fact that on average two US soldiers a day are not dying in, Iraq for a war we were lied into is apparently traitorous. Thank God for, President Obama for despite his intimidated allies in Congress he continues to educate the GOP's extremists on the limitations of their power.
President Obama's political foes decry the loss of "America's standing," which apparently means the fact that on average two US soldiers a day are not dying in, Iraq for a war we were lied into is apparently traitorous. Thank God for, President Obama for despite his intimidated allies in Congress he continues to educate the GOP's extremists on the limitations of their power.
5
Republicans have been abusing the federal government ever since Ronald Reagan set the tone back in the 1980's that government itself was bad. That gives them every excuse to shut it down, run up debt, mess up millions of lives. All in the name of a two bit philosophy known as trickle down that has made us the laughingstock of the developed world.
8
A sad business when one political party is totally wedded to the delusion that they are lonely patriots fighting the desperate fight against rampant liberal socialism bent on bringing down their wonderful country (the "Father Knows Best" version). In the minds of this delusional faction, any and all strategies must be on the table, because this is a desperate war which must be won, at any cost. I have family members who pretty much say that out loud.
So long as the GOP is in the thrall of that delusional thinking, they are as dangerous to America as the Taliban is to Afghanistan, as Likud is to Israel, as ISIS is to Iraq. There are echoes of Nazism in the current thinking of the GOP, and that is what makes them most frightening to me.
So long as the GOP is in the thrall of that delusional thinking, they are as dangerous to America as the Taliban is to Afghanistan, as Likud is to Israel, as ISIS is to Iraq. There are echoes of Nazism in the current thinking of the GOP, and that is what makes them most frightening to me.
7
Once again Mr. Krugman hits the nail squarely on the head. Republicans are the Party of recession and Democrats are the ones who must come in and straighten out the mess with the opposition of those who created the mess always in their face.
8
You all realize, I hope, that this Republican caucus is potentially selecting the next President of the United States [2nd in line after VP Biden]. Is this not frightening? Read some history of 1930s Europe and see what can happen even in so-called civilized nations.
5
More yada, yada, yada nonsense from Krugman. I guess Krugman has nothing nice to say about Democrats, including Obama, Hillary, Bernie and the rest of that show, so he has to spend his time trying to trash the opposition. Can Krugman go a month (or even a week) writing columns that discuss why he thinks the Democrats are doing a great job, instead of the constant carping on how bad the Republicans are for America? No wonder why the Republicans spend so much on negative advertising. The Democrats get free negative advertising in almost every op-ed column by Krugman and Blow.
He's an "extremist" in the purest sense of the word. Lather, rinse, repeat.
John Boehner has been a weak leader who was pushed around by the tea zealots, a populist movement that seems to have sprung up from resentment of economically marginalized white people who don't like changes of their environment. Its roots seem to be from the remnants of the old Dixiecrats and their extended family all the way up to Utah and Montana. Their racism has expanded to a general xenophobia. They apparently long for the good old days which include racism, sexism, violence and intolerance.
It's an easy way out for them. They can blame others rather than doing the harder job of working on our needs such as rebuilding infrastructure, which would provide well paid jobs in construction; education, which would bring their children into the 21st century competition in an increasingly interconnected world, and protecting the environment, which would give our children a healthy place to live in.
We can't just send the military to quash what we don't agree with. We can't ignore 100 year disasters happening at an ever increasing rate. We can't go back to the days of small farmers which no longer exists and hasn't for 50 years.
These recipient state dwelling Tea Party rejectionists need to grow up. The world is changing and they are dragging down our economy as well as our social position in the world. We can't afford their unrelenting negativity if we are want to keep our dominant position in today's global race.
It's an easy way out for them. They can blame others rather than doing the harder job of working on our needs such as rebuilding infrastructure, which would provide well paid jobs in construction; education, which would bring their children into the 21st century competition in an increasingly interconnected world, and protecting the environment, which would give our children a healthy place to live in.
We can't just send the military to quash what we don't agree with. We can't ignore 100 year disasters happening at an ever increasing rate. We can't go back to the days of small farmers which no longer exists and hasn't for 50 years.
These recipient state dwelling Tea Party rejectionists need to grow up. The world is changing and they are dragging down our economy as well as our social position in the world. We can't afford their unrelenting negativity if we are want to keep our dominant position in today's global race.
8
It is President Obama who threatens to shut down the government and then blames it on Republicans and is supported by a complicit media. The purse strings are with the Congress. Congress is not required to fund anything of which it disapproves. But if Congress does not include everything President Obama thinks should be funded, he threatens to veto it all. If Republicans fund 99% of what has been funded in the past, Obama will shut down the government over the one percent. By consistently getting away with this blackmail and then falsely blaming it on the Republicans, President Obama is destroying centuries of Anglo-American constitutional tradition wherein executive excesses are to be constrained by the legislature.
1
What Mr Obama has been trying to tell you is that we are all in it together. the republicans need the democrats and vice versa.
Oh Charlie... I think you might need a lesson in logic. Let's say your employment contract provides that you salary is $100. Your company says, if you don't accept $99, i'm going to shut down the company and nobody will get paid. You say, no we agreed that you would pay me $100, so that's what you will pay me. Under your warped conception of reality, you're the one who is blackmailing your company, not the other way around.
I hope this helps.
I hope this helps.
1
Weird, since the only thing the President's said he won't do is chop all Planned Parenthood's funding or defund Obamacare.
But tell you what: explain to me what Ted Cruz is willing to compromise on.
But tell you what: explain to me what Ted Cruz is willing to compromise on.
1
The blackmail works because the individual congressmen who are engaging in it never suffer from it, indeed are rewarded for it.
They come from gerrymandered congressional districts where their voters are strongly tea-party biased, so there is no chance of ever being turned out of office by somebody to their left, only being "primaried" from the right.
There is only one solution to this -- the executive branch must use it's discretionary authority to punish the congressional districts which engage in this blackmail.
The president has the authority to choose which airports shut down ...for starters. Take it from there.
They come from gerrymandered congressional districts where their voters are strongly tea-party biased, so there is no chance of ever being turned out of office by somebody to their left, only being "primaried" from the right.
There is only one solution to this -- the executive branch must use it's discretionary authority to punish the congressional districts which engage in this blackmail.
The president has the authority to choose which airports shut down ...for starters. Take it from there.
6
Pogo had it correct, We have met the enemy and they are us! What are we going to do about it is the question. Extremism is appealing until the extremists have control and everything goes down hill faster. There has to be a better way.
3
since Nixon lied, cheated and stole the presidency and had to resign in infamy, the GOP threw their hands in the air and said, "phk it", and became the Party of Lie Cheat Steal
they've been lying, cheating and stealing their way along from there to the point, it's become political DNA
that negative, destructive psychological mindset has been a magnet for all manner of the worst sort of person to the Republican Party
their base is a horror show of sociopaths, psychopaths, miscreants and robotic, brainwashed toadies
the base has slowly climbed up out of their cesspool the GOP stands in and have reached the levers of republican power
it's god awful to witness
the destructive decaying demise of the once great GOP...
they've been lying, cheating and stealing their way along from there to the point, it's become political DNA
that negative, destructive psychological mindset has been a magnet for all manner of the worst sort of person to the Republican Party
their base is a horror show of sociopaths, psychopaths, miscreants and robotic, brainwashed toadies
the base has slowly climbed up out of their cesspool the GOP stands in and have reached the levers of republican power
it's god awful to witness
the destructive decaying demise of the once great GOP...
4
"...that he just didn't try the blackmail hard enough."
That is a nice short summary of the Republican debates to date.
That is a nice short summary of the Republican debates to date.
1
There are obviously at least two macro mindsets at work in the USA these days.
Several groups of smart people vs several groups of idiots.
We should change the US motto from "E pluribus unum" to "E pluribus plures" (Out of many, several).
Several groups of smart people vs several groups of idiots.
We should change the US motto from "E pluribus unum" to "E pluribus plures" (Out of many, several).
At least Mr. Boehner has sense enough to dismount from that tiger.
Thank you Paul Krugman for this article. Initially, was a little hesitant about criticizing an outgoing speaker of the house out of decorum and respect. However, in summary you have captured the reality of the matter:
"John Boehner was a terrible, very bad, no good speaker of the House. "
"John Boehner was a terrible, very bad, no good speaker of the House. "
4
Thanks for telling it like it is Paul. I'm tired of hearing what a "good man" boehner is/was. He was supposed to lead, he failed, failed, failed. The only thing he could lead with was crying, he must have set the Guinness Book of Records on that for a politician of any stripe.
4
Maybe the Pope asked Boehner a question that anyone interested in healing would ask. "Mr. Boehner, why wouldn't you want your fellow Americans to have the opportunity for health care insurance? You and your colleagues don't ever have to worry about getting cancer, having a heart attack, ending up in an emergency room. But you think it's ok for millions of other people. That's one of the things I mean when I speak of the Golden Rule. How do you expect others to heal, as Jesus would want them to?"
9
Republicans have either A) forgotten the craft of politics or B) never had the skill in the first place. They don't understand that you can't always get what you want.
They seem to be aspiring to a level of Christian Extremism and zealotry not seen in centuries.
They seem to be aspiring to a level of Christian Extremism and zealotry not seen in centuries.
4
That's what happens when a political party denies science, and is informed by Fox News and the Onion!
8
From CNN on 4/25/09: President Obama, in his weekly address Saturday, said the country cannot “settle for a future of rising deficits and debts that our children cannot pay.
“All across America, families are tightening their belts and making hard choices. Now, Washington must show that same sense of responsibility.”
Remember, Obama was trying to create a Grand Bargain™ with Boehner from the beginning at the expense of American public.
Boehner was a disaster, but fortunately, the Republicans were unwilling to accept yes for an answer.
“All across America, families are tightening their belts and making hard choices. Now, Washington must show that same sense of responsibility.”
Remember, Obama was trying to create a Grand Bargain™ with Boehner from the beginning at the expense of American public.
Boehner was a disaster, but fortunately, the Republicans were unwilling to accept yes for an answer.
2
Our "grass roots" democracy is killing the grass.
Referring to Dr. Krugman's first paragraph, I note two misstatements.
First, Boehner became speaker after Obama became president, and the economy has done quite well since then.
Second, America's credibility has been damaged primarily by Obama's fecklessness than anything Congress has done.
And let's not forget how Obama reneged on the Grand Bargain that he and Boehner had crafted.
First, Boehner became speaker after Obama became president, and the economy has done quite well since then.
Second, America's credibility has been damaged primarily by Obama's fecklessness than anything Congress has done.
And let's not forget how Obama reneged on the Grand Bargain that he and Boehner had crafted.
I'm curious:
What was it you think Boehner did that turned the economy around, was this the "fecklessness," that let bin Laden escape, got us into Iraq, saw Iran's nuclear program ramp up and twiddled its thumbs while New Orleans drowned, and which planet do you live on?
What was it you think Boehner did that turned the economy around, was this the "fecklessness," that let bin Laden escape, got us into Iraq, saw Iran's nuclear program ramp up and twiddled its thumbs while New Orleans drowned, and which planet do you live on?
I suppose recklessly starting unwarranted, disastrous and unpaid for wars would be the opposite of your purported ' feckless' comment. Brilliant rebel. Just hope the next time there is armed conflict you sling a rifle and go fight rather than being brave with other people's lives like your hero W
OK, I'll play: define Obama's "fecklessness".
John Boehner referred to the 2008-09 near Great Depression part deux as a "slump". Maybe it was for most of his top 10% constituents and his top 1% benefactors, but not for much of the rest of America.
It's sad that a more or less self made man with a real working class upbringing quickly forgot where he came from.
It's sad that a more or less self made man with a real working class upbringing quickly forgot where he came from.
3
The Republican Party has become the poster child for the ignorant and unenlightened white Americana voter who votes for Republican politicians who don't believe in government but were elected to govern. This hypocrisy should not go unnoticed. White conservative Americans are doing more harm to the country than they realize when they vote for racist, bigoted, misogynistic and science deniers. They are slowly sealing the fate of a country destined to be left behind as history has so often shown.
4
The Republican war on the black male American cohort was the root of their evil program of socioeconomic black mail. By proudly repeatedly claiming that Barack Hussein Obama was an imaginary Kenyan Luo Arab Muslim socialist usurper, they tied him to the equally fanciful unique innate ignorant, lazy, immoral, violent criminal black male caste.
Manners and political correctness denied them the moral right to use the N word or segregation. But they easily found euphemistic substitutes. Like the old stand byes such as welfare, crime, affirmative action and kids born out of wedlock.
And as result America has 2.3 million people in prison or 25% of the world total with only 5% of the planets population. More imprisoned than the next 35 developed nations combined. Only China, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia and North Korea execute more of their citizens than America. America spends more on it's military than the next 8 nations combined including 8x Russia and 3x China.
With the likes of the Republican Party demeaning, diminishing and determined to domestically cripple Uncle Sam by misgovernment, who needs al Qaeda, ISIS/ISIL/DA'ISH, North Korea, Boko Haram, Russia, China, Iran and al Shabbab as American enemies?
Manners and political correctness denied them the moral right to use the N word or segregation. But they easily found euphemistic substitutes. Like the old stand byes such as welfare, crime, affirmative action and kids born out of wedlock.
And as result America has 2.3 million people in prison or 25% of the world total with only 5% of the planets population. More imprisoned than the next 35 developed nations combined. Only China, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia and North Korea execute more of their citizens than America. America spends more on it's military than the next 8 nations combined including 8x Russia and 3x China.
With the likes of the Republican Party demeaning, diminishing and determined to domestically cripple Uncle Sam by misgovernment, who needs al Qaeda, ISIS/ISIL/DA'ISH, North Korea, Boko Haram, Russia, China, Iran and al Shabbab as American enemies?
4
It is not helpful to compare the GOP--lousy as it is--to that crowd of monsters.
"The weakness of spending has, in turn, been a major headwind delaying recovery, probably the single biggest reason it has taken so long to bounce back from the 2007-2009 recession."
The Republicans have rightfully limited the spending. And in fact, the austerity has worked. The economy is growing again and outpacing most of the OECD countries. America is surviving a global economic crisis and managing quite well. Growth may be sluggish but it is much better than around the world. The Keynesian spending tactics were proven to not be as needed.
The Republicans have rightfully limited the spending. And in fact, the austerity has worked. The economy is growing again and outpacing most of the OECD countries. America is surviving a global economic crisis and managing quite well. Growth may be sluggish but it is much better than around the world. The Keynesian spending tactics were proven to not be as needed.
Sorry Jacob, but the US economy is doing better than other advanced economies because the austerity wasn't as severe. It really shows that austerity doesn't work.
Funny, then, that you guys are always yelling about how bad the economy's doing.
I myself had forgotten that the TARP program (authorized by the $700bn Emergency Economic Stabilization Act) had passed in early October 2008 with material bipartisan support. While hardly unanimously acceptable to Republicans, enough in both the House (91) and the Senate (34) voted for it to make sure it got through.
And, of course, even more Democrats in both houses voted for it than Republicans, rather than trying to lockstep stick it to a sitting Republican president, a pattern which the Republicans would quickly establish when Obama took office.
So, what happened to Republican bi-partisanship between October 3, 2008 and late January, early February 2009, when the Senate and the House voted on the $819bn American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (aka Stimulus Act)?
Only three Republican Senators voted for the Stimulus, and not a single Republican in the House voted for it. From 34 to 3 in the Senate when the presidency changed from a Republican to a Democrat. From 91 to 0 in the House.
Had the economic situation in the country improved between October 2008 and February 2009? Not at all. It had gotten worse.
But now there was a sitting Democratic president. And better yet for for the hyper-partisans in the Republican Party, who had nothing other in mind than taking down Obama even before he was inaugurated: he was black.
John Boehner?
He cravenly signed on to this program of economic Know-Nothingism.
Almost as if his future job as Speaker depended on it!
And, of course, even more Democrats in both houses voted for it than Republicans, rather than trying to lockstep stick it to a sitting Republican president, a pattern which the Republicans would quickly establish when Obama took office.
So, what happened to Republican bi-partisanship between October 3, 2008 and late January, early February 2009, when the Senate and the House voted on the $819bn American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (aka Stimulus Act)?
Only three Republican Senators voted for the Stimulus, and not a single Republican in the House voted for it. From 34 to 3 in the Senate when the presidency changed from a Republican to a Democrat. From 91 to 0 in the House.
Had the economic situation in the country improved between October 2008 and February 2009? Not at all. It had gotten worse.
But now there was a sitting Democratic president. And better yet for for the hyper-partisans in the Republican Party, who had nothing other in mind than taking down Obama even before he was inaugurated: he was black.
John Boehner?
He cravenly signed on to this program of economic Know-Nothingism.
Almost as if his future job as Speaker depended on it!
7
Big bad weeping Boehner is the perfect chance for Krugman to keep shooting fish in a barrel. The speaker is an absurd character to lead any congress of an advanced country. But the US is no longer advanced compared to modern countries around the world. Our standards have been lowered while US citizens must suffer with 2nd and 3rd rate treatment.
We are run the most expensive election in history, contrasted with the publicly funded 3 or 4 month campaigns abroad, but the issues that plague millions are still not addressed.
Today the US is behind other advanced democracies in regulating cutthroat capitalism, in govt support for research, in health care access and cost, in green energy, infrastructure, transport, broadband, plus in education, worker protections, human rights, middle class security. And in democracy, in terms of representing our majority interests.
See editorial on the meager attempts to prosecute & regulate for-profit colleges who cheated millions trying to attain education, skills and financial security. But the Govt agencies are falling behind in suing the colleges on behalf of the exploited students. This is the US govt as ineffectual. In other countries college and trade schools are low cost or free to begin with, not giving education crooks a chance to flourish, as here. But that’s considered too ‘left win’ in our demented, distorted politics.
The scope of this column is too narrow. Mr. Krugman talks up Obama as Clinton did in her speech.
We are run the most expensive election in history, contrasted with the publicly funded 3 or 4 month campaigns abroad, but the issues that plague millions are still not addressed.
Today the US is behind other advanced democracies in regulating cutthroat capitalism, in govt support for research, in health care access and cost, in green energy, infrastructure, transport, broadband, plus in education, worker protections, human rights, middle class security. And in democracy, in terms of representing our majority interests.
See editorial on the meager attempts to prosecute & regulate for-profit colleges who cheated millions trying to attain education, skills and financial security. But the Govt agencies are falling behind in suing the colleges on behalf of the exploited students. This is the US govt as ineffectual. In other countries college and trade schools are low cost or free to begin with, not giving education crooks a chance to flourish, as here. But that’s considered too ‘left win’ in our demented, distorted politics.
The scope of this column is too narrow. Mr. Krugman talks up Obama as Clinton did in her speech.
3
Where Boehner stands in the epic anti-Obama efforts by the Republicans is a matter of conjecture. The statement from O'Connell about making Obama a one-term President was a major contributing factor in the reawakening racism that is now raging.
Between the two men, untold damage has resulted, but the radical elements in Congress are as much to blame as the two of them. The current makeup of Congress now is destructive, anti-science, anti-climate change, anti-women's rights, and in general, anti-good governance. Boehner and O'Connell could have possibly helped control the radicalism but neither are or were strong enough to deliver us from it.
Between the two men, untold damage has resulted, but the radical elements in Congress are as much to blame as the two of them. The current makeup of Congress now is destructive, anti-science, anti-climate change, anti-women's rights, and in general, anti-good governance. Boehner and O'Connell could have possibly helped control the radicalism but neither are or were strong enough to deliver us from it.
6
Concerning Planned Parenthood (PP): The Republicans in Congress are knowledgeable enough to know that the PP funded by the government is purely for women's reproductive health care and has nothing to do with abortions, which are performed at separate clinics with separate entirely non-federal funding. Of course they don't mention that to the party faithful. Ignorance is power.
But why can't PP just change its name? Either change the health clinics name to something like "Woman's Reproductive Health Clinics" or change the name of the abortion clinics to something other than PP. Either way the Republicans would have great difficulty in continuing their disinformation against federal support for women's reproductive health.
But why can't PP just change its name? Either change the health clinics name to something like "Woman's Reproductive Health Clinics" or change the name of the abortion clinics to something other than PP. Either way the Republicans would have great difficulty in continuing their disinformation against federal support for women's reproductive health.
6
What Dr Krugman wrote was pretty much on, but there's another element that he missed. Boehner was a rat deserting a sinking ship. He got out while the getting was good. As badly as the GOP has behaved, they're about to show us all just HOW badly they can behave when they really put their minds to it.
The GOP has gone from 32% of registered voters to 23% since '10. If the GOP caucus behaves as badly as I think they're going to, there's a very good chance they will be down to under 20% by this time next year. If so, then they are well and truly screwed; not even gerrymandered districts will be able to save them. Between the madness of the base and the destructive influence of Trump, the republican party is in extremis. Boehner simply got out while there was still time to do so, before his name was inextricably links to the demise of his party. At least he avoids going down in history as the last republican spearker . . .
The GOP has gone from 32% of registered voters to 23% since '10. If the GOP caucus behaves as badly as I think they're going to, there's a very good chance they will be down to under 20% by this time next year. If so, then they are well and truly screwed; not even gerrymandered districts will be able to save them. Between the madness of the base and the destructive influence of Trump, the republican party is in extremis. Boehner simply got out while there was still time to do so, before his name was inextricably links to the demise of his party. At least he avoids going down in history as the last republican spearker . . .
6
Boehner is calling the Republican extremists - False Prophetss - a very powerful term in the Bible. In reality, Boehner himself is the first false prophet - a leader who tried to guide the country in a path of destruction and self humiliation. What is rhe result of his tenure as speaker of the house since 2010 - government shutdown, austerity program, unsuccessful attempts to abolish Obamacare, ..... The historian will find rhe tenure of this speaker may be one of the worst phase of US Congress.
4
What to do?
About 20-25% of Americans know whether they are for or against the tea party, but about half those polled by Gallup say they "neither" support or oppose the tea party. (http://www.gallup.com/poll/147635/tea-party-movement.aspx)
Support TP Oppose TP Neither sup. or opp.
Oct 2011 25% 22% 46%
Oct 2014 19% 26% 50%
The 2016 election will be all about voter turnout. Besides gerrymandering (check), scraping Voting Rights (check), implementing voter ID to depress minority voters (check), the GOP & TP are very busy doing anything they can to get their rabid supporters to the polls while dampening voter turnout of the larger electorate. It worked well for them in the 2014 election.
Perhaps this is one reason the GOP and Tea Party are doing their best to make Americans disgusted with politicians and political campaigning.
Two big questions: (1) Will Americans bother to vote in 2016 (esp. young voters)? (2) Which way will the noncommitals (the Independents and "neithers") vote?
The problem is how do you get the attention of low-information voters and people who are turned off politics, and perhaps do not realize what is at stake in this upcoming election for the future of our country and its people?
Krugman does his part, thank heavens!
About 20-25% of Americans know whether they are for or against the tea party, but about half those polled by Gallup say they "neither" support or oppose the tea party. (http://www.gallup.com/poll/147635/tea-party-movement.aspx)
Support TP Oppose TP Neither sup. or opp.
Oct 2011 25% 22% 46%
Oct 2014 19% 26% 50%
The 2016 election will be all about voter turnout. Besides gerrymandering (check), scraping Voting Rights (check), implementing voter ID to depress minority voters (check), the GOP & TP are very busy doing anything they can to get their rabid supporters to the polls while dampening voter turnout of the larger electorate. It worked well for them in the 2014 election.
Perhaps this is one reason the GOP and Tea Party are doing their best to make Americans disgusted with politicians and political campaigning.
Two big questions: (1) Will Americans bother to vote in 2016 (esp. young voters)? (2) Which way will the noncommitals (the Independents and "neithers") vote?
The problem is how do you get the attention of low-information voters and people who are turned off politics, and perhaps do not realize what is at stake in this upcoming election for the future of our country and its people?
Krugman does his part, thank heavens!
2
Crazy Republican extremists are more of a symptom than the cause of a dysfunctional government. The real fault lies with uninformed voters who aren't clever enough to understand the problem. The Democrats need a better propaganda machine, one that sways the boneheads without their realizing it. Sort of like what the Republicans are doing now.
4
The modern Weimar Republic:
" The Nazi Party (NSDAP) entered the Reichstag with 19% of the popular vote and made the fragile coalition system by which every chancellor had governed unworkable."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weimar_Republic
Today, 60% of the voting age population does not vote. That leaves 40% that do vote. Of that 40%, 1/2 of 40% (20%) plus 1 vote decide each and every election: federal, state, county, and municipal. Do you see any parallels?
The "T" party dominates the GOP to the point that Dr. Krugman has written this column decrying the demise of the GOP into insanity. The "T" party is using the same tactics the Nazi Party did, and has about the same constituency as it did. See any parallels?
Then, as now, grave economic events took place that made the post WW1 oligarchs support radical change (in their own favor of course.) Weimar had a wonderfully democratic constitution, but that hardly mattered to the hard liners. See any parallels?
The GOP peddlers of of fear keep screaming about hyper-inflation just around the corner. Weimar had hyper inflation. See any parallels?
The GOP wants every "citizen" to be armed with any weapon available that can take on the police, the army. See any parallels?
The GOP is resoundingly white, and resents the non-whites. See any parallels?
" The Nazi Party (NSDAP) entered the Reichstag with 19% of the popular vote and made the fragile coalition system by which every chancellor had governed unworkable."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weimar_Republic
Today, 60% of the voting age population does not vote. That leaves 40% that do vote. Of that 40%, 1/2 of 40% (20%) plus 1 vote decide each and every election: federal, state, county, and municipal. Do you see any parallels?
The "T" party dominates the GOP to the point that Dr. Krugman has written this column decrying the demise of the GOP into insanity. The "T" party is using the same tactics the Nazi Party did, and has about the same constituency as it did. See any parallels?
Then, as now, grave economic events took place that made the post WW1 oligarchs support radical change (in their own favor of course.) Weimar had a wonderfully democratic constitution, but that hardly mattered to the hard liners. See any parallels?
The GOP peddlers of of fear keep screaming about hyper-inflation just around the corner. Weimar had hyper inflation. See any parallels?
The GOP wants every "citizen" to be armed with any weapon available that can take on the police, the army. See any parallels?
The GOP is resoundingly white, and resents the non-whites. See any parallels?
8
The next Speaker needs only to drop the so-called "Hastert Rule" and Congress will quickly return to normalcy by marginalizing the tea party branch of the Republican party.
I wish that John Boehner, rather than resigning, had simply worked up the courage to take this simple step.
I wish that John Boehner, rather than resigning, had simply worked up the courage to take this simple step.
6
Agree with CT Resident. As I understand it, Mr. Boehner could have won reelection as Speaker and gotten a lot more done in the House (for better or for worse), including avoiding a shutdown, all with a lot less personal grief and probably with more approval from his constituents in his home disctrict, if he had been willing to operate with a majority composed not solely of Republicans (the Hastert Rule) but of both Republicans and Democrats. By resigning instead he endorses continuing the Hastert Rule.
1
Read an interesting idea in a piece by Paul Abrams over on HuffPo.
Peter King, Republican Representative from NY, summed it up nicely when he said the crazies had taken over the party.
4
That's pretty funny coming from one of the crazies.
Takes one to know one.
Boehner tried to herd the cats of the right wing faction of the GOP, and they clawed him. Eager to hang onto to his job, he showed neither principle or courage, and, having learned a lesson from time spent at his father's bar, left before he could be thrown out.
4
bicker bicker bicker. You want to stick it to the muppetmasters? The Kochs, Adelsons, Waltons, all those out of control corporations? Are you really serious about that? Then why don't you make a list of, say, 10 most outrageous cases and refrain from feeding their greedy mouths?
Very simple. You don't want Kochs' influence, then use less electricity, a lot of which comes from their coal. Turn up the AC to 75 degrees instead of 68, maybe. Use less gas if you despise how Shell, BP (and the Saudis) etc. act. Go to your local store instead of a Walmart where many employees have to rely on foodstamps to survive. Buy a Nissan Leaf, Tesla, BMW i3, maybe. Under no condition do not let your children join the military in any shape or form.
What are you doing that is in your power to make life harder for these plutocrats?
Very simple. You don't want Kochs' influence, then use less electricity, a lot of which comes from their coal. Turn up the AC to 75 degrees instead of 68, maybe. Use less gas if you despise how Shell, BP (and the Saudis) etc. act. Go to your local store instead of a Walmart where many employees have to rely on foodstamps to survive. Buy a Nissan Leaf, Tesla, BMW i3, maybe. Under no condition do not let your children join the military in any shape or form.
What are you doing that is in your power to make life harder for these plutocrats?
4
It is the plutocrat puppet masters pulling the strings for their own profit...
2
But on the bright side, as the Republican establishment, Rupert Murdoch, the Koch brothers, and the business community realize they've enabled a group of crazies to dictate US economic policies, they will start to withdraw their financial support for elections of the crazies. And they pressure their peers to do likewise.
After all, nothing spooks the markets and the business community more than the threat of a government shutdown, which would mean an interruption to their subsidies and their revenue stream. Especially when it's a shutdown over such a "trivial" matter as women's health care or family planning.
After all, nothing spooks the markets and the business community more than the threat of a government shutdown, which would mean an interruption to their subsidies and their revenue stream. Especially when it's a shutdown over such a "trivial" matter as women's health care or family planning.
5
Rupert Murdoch and the Koch brothers are the crazies.
1
"...cry for America, which must find a way to live with a G.O.P. gone mad."
Or we could just vote the nuts out of office.
Or we could just vote the nuts out of office.
5
with gerrymandering, fat chance
1
The GOP has completely abandoned all reason. Although Planned Parenthood already takes no money from the Federal government for abortion services, the 'Pubs are trying to defund all the other services they provide, like education, contraception, and family planning, which actually decrease the abortion rate. So they they are pushing for something that will increase abortions, and they are willing to shut down the government in order to do this??? As Dave Barry says, "I swear I'm not making this up!"
8
It was the Pope who body-slammed the GOP and KO'd Boehner. The great post-Papal visit takeaway is that Boehner has a soul and that it has been tormented by years by his inability to lead on issues that matter to his fellow Americans, particularly those in need. Voting dozens of times against a program designed to provide Americans with health insurance is surely one of his greatest sins.
1
Why is it when the Democrats oppose the GOP they are doing their job and not expected to vote along with whatever the Republicans want to do as the opposition party because they oppose what the Republicans want to do and when the Republicans do not vote for what the Democrats want to do because they disagree with what the Democrats want to do you label them "Obstructionists" rather than the opposing party with opposing views?
A bit hypocritical if you take a close look at your view.
A bit hypocritical if you take a close look at your view.
1
Republicans have been in charge of both houses of government and still get nothing done. Must be the Democrats fault.
1
Because dems are not using the budget to shut down the government. Big difference.
1
The GOP is not a bunch of right wing crazy people as they are a serious threat to the future of America as we know it and our Founders created the Constitution to establish.
The Achilles heal here is not the Republicans. It is the average American who refuses to take his and her civic responsibilities seriously and at least go to the trouble to think about it for five minutes and then go vote.
Otherwise, we all get what we deserve. The dismantling of all that our forefathers have worked for. Rogue elephants are out to crush everything. They are anarchists more than anything else.
The Achilles heal here is not the Republicans. It is the average American who refuses to take his and her civic responsibilities seriously and at least go to the trouble to think about it for five minutes and then go vote.
Otherwise, we all get what we deserve. The dismantling of all that our forefathers have worked for. Rogue elephants are out to crush everything. They are anarchists more than anything else.
8
I think the point is that Boehner created the Frankenstein that has destroyed him. But in the grand scheme of things, ignorance will always win.
As Francis leaves the United States, must we not ask ourselves, "Is humanity a pestilence, created in the image of a malevolent and stupid God?"
As Francis leaves the United States, must we not ask ourselves, "Is humanity a pestilence, created in the image of a malevolent and stupid God?"
2
Krugman needs to try to stick to economics, a subject that he professes to know something about, although this is questionable. Why does the NYT publish anti-Republican editorials continuously instead of reporting the news? This is a major reason why the NYT is considered more a branch of the DNC than a news organization.
Have you even considered the possibility that it might just be that the Republican Party is fully worthy of the criticism it receives?
Questionable? A Nobel Prize winning Laureate in Economics has a "questionable" knowledge of economics? He is also a Distinguished Professor of Economics at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Better minds than yours or mine know his credentials in economics are impeccable.
The NYT is a newspaper. It reports the news. Name me a newspaper that doesn't have an opinion section.
If you consider the NYT to be a branch of the DNC, it may be because you don't agree with its opinion pieces which are not always progressive, by the way.
The NYT is a newspaper. It reports the news. Name me a newspaper that doesn't have an opinion section.
If you consider the NYT to be a branch of the DNC, it may be because you don't agree with its opinion pieces which are not always progressive, by the way.
1
Really, James? Who would have guessed?
I grew up in the 1960s and 70s in a very religious (fundamentalist Protestant) part of the Midwest. My best friend's family left the Christian Reformed Church (which was itself a breakaway from the more establishment Reformed Church) when it was deemed too "liberal." They then went to the Baptist Church (Southern Baptist Convention) for a few years, until that, too, was "too liberal." The next place was just one step away from snake handling. My friend and I went to different high schools at that point, and I lost touch. But I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually moved on from the last church to somethig even more extreme.
This pattern wasn't at all unusual. People would end up in tiny congregations of 10 or 20 people in some old house out in the countryside believing they were the only "true church" on the planet. Everyone else was going to straight to damnation.
These people, not coincidentally, were also Republicans - and firmly against any "liberal" tendencies still in evidence in the party. They had a deep need to be "right" and for everyone else to be "wrong." Back in the '60s they were mostly content to feud with their neighbors. Now they want to feud with the world. And to hell with everyone else.
This pattern wasn't at all unusual. People would end up in tiny congregations of 10 or 20 people in some old house out in the countryside believing they were the only "true church" on the planet. Everyone else was going to straight to damnation.
These people, not coincidentally, were also Republicans - and firmly against any "liberal" tendencies still in evidence in the party. They had a deep need to be "right" and for everyone else to be "wrong." Back in the '60s they were mostly content to feud with their neighbors. Now they want to feud with the world. And to hell with everyone else.
13
Paul, please help form a new party and call it the Noble Nobels or something that will appeal to the rational voter before rationality disappears from this once proud nation.
2
It's time to divide the country into two parts:
Civilized States
Stone Age States
We should deport any born-agains from the Civilized States, and welcome any educated and/or sane people from the Stone Age states who wish to immigrate to the Civilized States.
We could perhaps maintain your beloved "free trade" between the two countries. As part of the economic flow, we could allow the Stone Age politicians free access, to perform their comedy acts (but nothing else) in our Civilized States of America (sort of like Confederate States of America -- CSA). If we secede from them, we might decide on our own how much of the national debt to recognize as our responsibility, and the rest of the world would be thrilled that we're obligated for it.
Please, Professor, let me know what downsides you see to my plan, so that I can improve upon it!
Civilized States
Stone Age States
We should deport any born-agains from the Civilized States, and welcome any educated and/or sane people from the Stone Age states who wish to immigrate to the Civilized States.
We could perhaps maintain your beloved "free trade" between the two countries. As part of the economic flow, we could allow the Stone Age politicians free access, to perform their comedy acts (but nothing else) in our Civilized States of America (sort of like Confederate States of America -- CSA). If we secede from them, we might decide on our own how much of the national debt to recognize as our responsibility, and the rest of the world would be thrilled that we're obligated for it.
Please, Professor, let me know what downsides you see to my plan, so that I can improve upon it!
2
So the South wins the Civil war after all.
It has always amazed me that people who support the GOP and believe their idiotic claims that Obama is a muslim or "not born in this country" are often the very people who benefit most from Obamacare, and other social programs. Why do the working poor who cling to guns, religion, and hate not realize that they would benefit from well-financed government programs, increased taxes on the wealthy and increased government spending on infrastructure that would boost the economy and provide jobs. I really don't get it.
5
Fox news
1
What I don't understand is what has happened to the voice of the Democratic Party. None of the Democrats is a consist vocal supporter of Obama's policies. Actually, in the last election, some were running away from the President lest they be tainted with his presence before Election Day.
The GOP has been a blatant, outspoken critic of Obama's every move, mischaracterizing his programs. But the Democrats have been weak and silent, afraid to risk the slightest political capital on anything that wasn't a sure thing at the ballot box. The Pope should have talked about sins of omission and sins of commission..
The GOP has been a blatant, outspoken critic of Obama's every move, mischaracterizing his programs. But the Democrats have been weak and silent, afraid to risk the slightest political capital on anything that wasn't a sure thing at the ballot box. The Pope should have talked about sins of omission and sins of commission..
5
On Sundays, Meet the Press, Mr. Boehner told moderator Chuck Todd his party had "false prophets " who fostered divisive tea party legislation that they themselves knew would not pass. Mr. Boehners revelation of his parties "false prophets" is a little late in coming. Had he stood up the these false prophets all these years and refrained from making comments that just supported this behavior, we might now show more respect to him in his retirement. I can only assume that after his tearful meeting with the Pope he may have finally realized his own failures as a majority leader, and is was time to call it quits.
5
it seems to me based on what is coming it would be wise to have Bernie Sanders as our prez
Last night in vision I saw my moon goddess wife come down to earth trying to peak in to the cave of the Virgin where my sun goddess wife is vacationing with The Virgin figure of speech
A voice from heaven said :STop peaking ! Your turn will be next.
That will teach them throwing trees at me burn down my father sanctuary and make me doubt I can trust them(joke-Im in total love with my 7 wives)
Last night in vision I saw my moon goddess wife come down to earth trying to peak in to the cave of the Virgin where my sun goddess wife is vacationing with The Virgin figure of speech
A voice from heaven said :STop peaking ! Your turn will be next.
That will teach them throwing trees at me burn down my father sanctuary and make me doubt I can trust them(joke-Im in total love with my 7 wives)
One GOP policy with which I increasingly agree is the building of a large wall on the US-Canada border.
2
We have met the enemy, and he is us.
5
Paul Krugman goes overboard today, but it is not because of his assessment of the Republican Party as a totally out-of-control, irresponsible, unprincipled and wild-eyed group of fanatics bent on bringing down our government just to prove they can. That part is completely accurate. Krugman, however, gives John Boehner too much credit (or, too much blame, depending on your point of view) for conceiving and initiating the obstructionism which began in 2009 and continues today.
Make no mistake, John Boehner is a committed conservative who opposed Barack Obama from the start. Boehner did preside over serial attacks on Obama and threats by House Republicans of forcing government shutdowns. Boehner’s flaw was not a dedication to crazy ideas about how right-wing Congressmen are supposed to act – his weakness was weakness. Paul Krugman sees Boehner, the Speaker of the House, as a leader of the radical agenda. In fact, Boehner was a follower.
Make no mistake, John Boehner is a committed conservative who opposed Barack Obama from the start. Boehner did preside over serial attacks on Obama and threats by House Republicans of forcing government shutdowns. Boehner’s flaw was not a dedication to crazy ideas about how right-wing Congressmen are supposed to act – his weakness was weakness. Paul Krugman sees Boehner, the Speaker of the House, as a leader of the radical agenda. In fact, Boehner was a follower.
3
As usual, Krugman always bashes the Repunlicans but never takes a good deep look into his favored Democrats - all fakes and frauds.
Yes the GOP's extremists are crazy. But that's the result of a Democrat conspiracy going back to 2008. Going into the primaries, it was clear that, following the Bush Crash, the D's could nominate either Clinton or Obama and take the White House. They were well aware of the nature of the Republican base following 40 successful years of that party's Southern strategy and knew that The First Black President would drive many of them crazy. But they nominated and elected Obama anyway, then compounded the damage by doing it again in 2012. The D's and Obama, not the R leadership and certainly not the R extremists themselves, are responsible for the Republican Party coming unglued. Don't blame the victims.
1
Really? I hope you jest. Otherwise we have to believe you too believe in the "Tooth fairy or Santa Claus" GOP fantasies.
1
It's all the Democrat's fault for electing Obama. Yeah, right. Nice try.
John Boehner is only one example of the intellectual vacuum in the House and Senate. We've even drifted away from Ralph Waldo Emerson's admonition: "Democracy becomes government of bullies tempered by editors.." Journalism has lost its purpose, and now seeks the God of Capitalism, MONEY! The truth doesn't seem to sell anymore, if it ever did. Boehner seems to be a nice man without the intellectual metal to understand basic economics. His world view never left his Ohio boyhood and his view of life is (to be kind) Romantic. Some editors talked about his being an institutionalist, one who loves the romantic idea of what the buildings and old ideas represent. He is truly that because he obviously has never had an original idea in his life. And, please don't ask me anything about the "Tooth Fairy, or Santa Claus!" In our democracy bullies abound, especially in the extreme right wing, and because our editors are not fearless, they are almost voiceless in the sense that the electorate ignores their voices. The extremes attack credible politicians with impunity. Instead of talking about policy, they talk about some extreme social issue or other. As you have pointed out many times, the right wing hails failed economic policies and people still follow them. This column is one place to get the truth, and because of it I am an adherent!
2
Isn't it clear that Republican policy is to oppose whatever Barak Obama favors? It fits perfectly into all Republican thought patterns - easy to remember, requires no analysis, and is readily reduced to sound bites. The trouble is that there is no Republican programs to replace what they are against. Obamacare does wonderful things for millions who would be left with no health are if it were to go away. The Iran deal would lead to war (perhaps nuclear war if Israel had its way) if it were to go away. How can this be what any thinking person would want.
4
I just hope that the Taliban faction of the Republican party doesn't take this development as a green light to get even more extreme.
5
The American electorate has become simpleminded over the past 35 years. To me, they need simple solutions to the complex problems facing us in the 21st century.
One way to reach the simpleminded voter is this - Any legislator who has signed Norquist's "no new taxes" pledge needs to be voted out of office NOW. These folks are the true impediments to democracy.
One way to reach the simpleminded voter is this - Any legislator who has signed Norquist's "no new taxes" pledge needs to be voted out of office NOW. These folks are the true impediments to democracy.
4
It seems odd that we are so very civil in taking on those who are clearly in favor of an imperial presidency that rules only in favor of a ruling class indifferent to the needs of most Americans. Many of our fellow citizens struggle to find work to provide for families and their children. Those youngsters go to substandard schools and have little chance of advancement even though they may have talent.
For a political party to rule on the basis of bigotry and lies and religious extremism is really a disgrace. Where is the spirit of equity and justice in the Republican party? Insider privileges for the really wealthy and influential prevails in the Republican party far from the leadership of Lincoln and Dwight David Eisenhower.
Kind and measured discourse has its place along with the wonderfully inspiring presence of Pope Francis yet we are clearly at war with a party that is relentless in depriving the many for the benefit of the few. They are relentless and will NEVER be persuaded by this man of grace and love and deft expression.
It is uncomfortable to recognize that our democracy is in peril but it is and we must rise to oppose those who would steal our democratic processes. We must VOTE and make sure all whom we know and those we don't to get to the polls and save our Nation from a party that will never waiver in its search for the dominance of the entitled 1%ers.
They are not conservatives. They are thieves.
For a political party to rule on the basis of bigotry and lies and religious extremism is really a disgrace. Where is the spirit of equity and justice in the Republican party? Insider privileges for the really wealthy and influential prevails in the Republican party far from the leadership of Lincoln and Dwight David Eisenhower.
Kind and measured discourse has its place along with the wonderfully inspiring presence of Pope Francis yet we are clearly at war with a party that is relentless in depriving the many for the benefit of the few. They are relentless and will NEVER be persuaded by this man of grace and love and deft expression.
It is uncomfortable to recognize that our democracy is in peril but it is and we must rise to oppose those who would steal our democratic processes. We must VOTE and make sure all whom we know and those we don't to get to the polls and save our Nation from a party that will never waiver in its search for the dominance of the entitled 1%ers.
They are not conservatives. They are thieves.
1
Thank you, Paul Krugman, for speaking truth. The GOP's insanity manifests a deep dysfunction in America. Our nation is threatened by the possibility that insanity will prevail. Fortunately we have a voice of reason in the political arena: Senator Bernie Sanders. Sanders can win, but We The People must vote for that to happen. One danger of Republican insanity is that citizens tire of the craziness and stay home on election day. We cannot, must not allow that to happen. Vote, vote, vote. Vote for America. Vote Sanders.
9
My heart was with the left until the left abandoned the cause of peace. Keep turning a blind eye to war and you will never again enjoy prosperity. Call it karma or whatever, but war, torture and endemic financial and political corruption did not happen without help from both sides.
There is only one party in America, today, and that is the Money/War Party. That is why it never loses an election.
Want to change it?
Stop waiting for the next election and do something real.
The very least you can do is speak out against war.
Stop grubbing for money, people.
It is demeaning...
There is only one party in America, today, and that is the Money/War Party. That is why it never loses an election.
Want to change it?
Stop waiting for the next election and do something real.
The very least you can do is speak out against war.
Stop grubbing for money, people.
It is demeaning...
6
I predict 2016 will be a Democratic wave. It could hardly be otherwise, with the new Speaker having to make promises to shut down the government at the earliest opportunity just to take office. The bigger danger is that Republicans will realize that only default on the national debt can bring about an atmosphere of sufficient crisis to cause the public to embrace their proposed solutions.
3
Don't be so sure about a Democratic wave, Jason. I mean, I hope so, but the fact that in 2010 Republicans put into office men who obviously had no intention of doing anything productive in an Obama administration, and the fact that if Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee, with lots of baggage (and been-there-done-that presence), Republicans are unlikely to roll over and play dead. They will vote for those who will continue to non-govern or put in place some horrific policies. It is scary!
The House is allowing fetal tissue to be characterized as “illegal baby parts”. That insane line of thought is used to call for the de-funding of Planned Parenthood. Of the $528 million--or 0.00139% of the Federal Budget--that Planned Parenthood received, only three percent of its activities are providing abortions, and no Federal Funds go toward abortions. But the House is willing to allow the vast majority of 11.4 million vital health care procedures to be eliminated for some 2.7 million women, as well.
IF the anti-abortion lobby truly wanted to end abortion, why not continue to fight Roe v. Wade? The sale of fetal tissue is also legal--but only if donated, and only expenses can be recouped--but, no net profits? Why aren’t they going after the other 60% of abortions that are provided performed? And, what about in vitro fertilization clinics that enable the donation of excess embryos for research? In both cases--fetal tissue and IVF--the donated parts are destroyed, and then used to find cures for debilitating diseases.
The key element in this whole political reason for these attacks is catering to the Conservative Religious Base of the Republican Party. The women who have abortions using their own health care insurance, and those that seek IVF, are general wealthy and white. While the women who must use Medicaid--which applies to most Planned Parenthood patients--are poor and disproportionately women of color. Unfortunately, the poor do not have a Lobby.
IF the anti-abortion lobby truly wanted to end abortion, why not continue to fight Roe v. Wade? The sale of fetal tissue is also legal--but only if donated, and only expenses can be recouped--but, no net profits? Why aren’t they going after the other 60% of abortions that are provided performed? And, what about in vitro fertilization clinics that enable the donation of excess embryos for research? In both cases--fetal tissue and IVF--the donated parts are destroyed, and then used to find cures for debilitating diseases.
The key element in this whole political reason for these attacks is catering to the Conservative Religious Base of the Republican Party. The women who have abortions using their own health care insurance, and those that seek IVF, are general wealthy and white. While the women who must use Medicaid--which applies to most Planned Parenthood patients--are poor and disproportionately women of color. Unfortunately, the poor do not have a Lobby.
6
These folks are out to deny the importance of planning parenthood. They are stark raving mad.
1
By getting Federal funds, it allows them to spend money on abortions, which is really the War On Women because 50% of the abortions are female fetuses.
Always interests me that the Republican Congress is called obstructionist and blamed for grid lock. You could say the same about the Administration.
Is it possible that the voters in their wisdom have purposely elected Republicans to check the President's programs, the major one of which was predicated on more than a few untruths?
Indeed, each Federal election cycle since 2008/9 has shown an ever increasing number of Republicans elected to the House and Senate. The Adminstration's negotiating tactic all these years has been unchanged -- 'we won we will let you sign on to our policy.' That doesn't ever work let alone when, over the years, its Congressional majority has vanished and been replaced by a minority.
Maybe the people are trying to tell us something? Professor Krugman should be lecturing the voters not the Republican Congress.
Problem is, his invective and his tone, dripping with condescension, make him incapable of doing so.
Is it possible that the voters in their wisdom have purposely elected Republicans to check the President's programs, the major one of which was predicated on more than a few untruths?
Indeed, each Federal election cycle since 2008/9 has shown an ever increasing number of Republicans elected to the House and Senate. The Adminstration's negotiating tactic all these years has been unchanged -- 'we won we will let you sign on to our policy.' That doesn't ever work let alone when, over the years, its Congressional majority has vanished and been replaced by a minority.
Maybe the people are trying to tell us something? Professor Krugman should be lecturing the voters not the Republican Congress.
Problem is, his invective and his tone, dripping with condescension, make him incapable of doing so.
1
"Is it possible that the voters in their wisdom have purposely elected Republicans to check the President's programs, the major one of which was predicated on more than a few untruths?"
there's really no support for the theory that, somehow, the monolithic and wise "voters" actually selected our dysfunctional government, with congress pitted against the executive branch. It's far more likely that jerrymandered congressional districts have given an out-sized voice to the republican voter.
there's really no support for the theory that, somehow, the monolithic and wise "voters" actually selected our dysfunctional government, with congress pitted against the executive branch. It's far more likely that jerrymandered congressional districts have given an out-sized voice to the republican voter.
2
Congressional Republicans decided to "check" the president's programs well before the election of 2010, starting with the stimulus and in the midst of a national emergency. They did so as a political strategy, because they were afraid that Democrats might be on the verge of achieving a permanent majority. This is well documented.
In House elections, Democrats typically rack up more total votes than Republicans. Because of redistricting, the GOP has managed to increase its gains--a case of the winners drawing the lines for the next election.
In national elections, voters speak very clearly too. Barack Obama was re-elected handily in 2012. Why shouldn't that message count?
In House elections, Democrats typically rack up more total votes than Republicans. Because of redistricting, the GOP has managed to increase its gains--a case of the winners drawing the lines for the next election.
In national elections, voters speak very clearly too. Barack Obama was re-elected handily in 2012. Why shouldn't that message count?
2
Republicans sure have been given the chance to demonstrate just how grossly incompetent they are at anything more sophisticated than rigging elections.
There is a logic to this politics of Manipulated Rage. Angry people vote; complacent ones often skip elections. Just ask any mid-term Democratic candidate. Whether out of politeness or rhetorical incompetence, Democrats refuse to label this appalling obstructionism, so the only talking points are on the Republican side.
Time and again, Democrats refuse to bell the cat and in failing to do so, they are failing to help the American people understand that Republicans stand for gridlock and do-nothingism; that it is not a matter of the parties failing to work together but rather the failure of one party to work at all.
Time and again, Democrats refuse to bell the cat and in failing to do so, they are failing to help the American people understand that Republicans stand for gridlock and do-nothingism; that it is not a matter of the parties failing to work together but rather the failure of one party to work at all.
8
The failure of Democrats to vote in the census year 2010 election was apathy for the record books.
1
There is a perverse pleasure in the wielding of violent power, even to ends of self-immolation. Not unlike the spurned lover who would rather kill his beloved than not entirely possess her, the radical republicans, in their cries of “freedom” and “America first”, are so engulfed in their rage that they would rather see the government destroyed than to lose. Trying to negotiate with this sort of religious fervor does not often end well.
8
Would the red states, [pro-slavery + anti-federal control] still have slavery today If Lincoln backed down way back when. It sure appears like that is what Republicans wish.
Their attempt to bring down the government today is very much like Civil warfare without guns. Guess our gun ownership fight is not just about the constitution.
Working actively to destroy our economy for political gain should be against the law.....wait, isn't it?
Their attempt to bring down the government today is very much like Civil warfare without guns. Guess our gun ownership fight is not just about the constitution.
Working actively to destroy our economy for political gain should be against the law.....wait, isn't it?
6
My fantasy dream outcome: the South again secedes, along with like-minded red states. Only this time, let them go. No civil war, just let them try to govern under a set of alternate universe policies. End of the South. End of the problem for the blue states.
1
Now emboldened worse than ever, guess what the Tea Party is up to today?
The Purge is On:
From the Tea Party website (http://www.teaparty.org)
Mission Statement: "Our mission is to bring awareness to any issue which challenges the security, sovereignty or domestic tranquility of our beloved nation, The United States of America."
Lead Article: " IT BEGINS: Top GOP Official Calls for McConnell’s Resignation as Senate Leader
(Washington Times) – With John Boehner now departing as House speaker, an influential Republican Party official is now seeking the ouster of another GOP leader who has frustrated conservatives: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
McConnell needs to resign!!” Louisiana GOP Chairman Roger Villere wrote in a Facebook posting...."
Another Article: "Bob Barr: Bring Back Newt as Speaker (It's Legal)
Former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr, R-Georgia, says it’s time to think outside the box in the search for the next Speaker of the House and bring back Newt Gingrich...."
Take a look at the Tea Party website, if you want to see what this powerful right-wing universe looks like, and what they are telling their fans. The TP has a strategy, tactics, and a "Command Center," and they are way ahead of us in their chess game.
Keep the columns coming and the public informed Prof. Krugman, because the propagandists are at war with what this country stands for. By any means necessary, and truth has nothing to do with it!
The Purge is On:
From the Tea Party website (http://www.teaparty.org)
Mission Statement: "Our mission is to bring awareness to any issue which challenges the security, sovereignty or domestic tranquility of our beloved nation, The United States of America."
Lead Article: " IT BEGINS: Top GOP Official Calls for McConnell’s Resignation as Senate Leader
(Washington Times) – With John Boehner now departing as House speaker, an influential Republican Party official is now seeking the ouster of another GOP leader who has frustrated conservatives: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
McConnell needs to resign!!” Louisiana GOP Chairman Roger Villere wrote in a Facebook posting...."
Another Article: "Bob Barr: Bring Back Newt as Speaker (It's Legal)
Former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr, R-Georgia, says it’s time to think outside the box in the search for the next Speaker of the House and bring back Newt Gingrich...."
Take a look at the Tea Party website, if you want to see what this powerful right-wing universe looks like, and what they are telling their fans. The TP has a strategy, tactics, and a "Command Center," and they are way ahead of us in their chess game.
Keep the columns coming and the public informed Prof. Krugman, because the propagandists are at war with what this country stands for. By any means necessary, and truth has nothing to do with it!
6
As an ex-Conservative after the 2000 election (which was obviously "stolen") I knew from the start of Obama's "purple tie campaign" (i.e. "I'm the Great Uniter" - get it- mix blue with red and you get purple?) that he was making a deal with the devil. He and the Democrats SHOULD have said "to hell with health insurance Companies - we're going for Single Payer" as well as "to hell with Conservative trickle down economics - we're going to have a 2 trillion dollar stimulus". He should have "asked for the stars and settled for the moon" as the lawyers say, but it was not to be - Boehner was just one of many who took advantage of The Dems' naiveté. I hope voters will remember the ways things could have been in this next cycle. Go Bernie.....
6
That the Republican Party in Congress is dysfunctional , that John Boehner was the most obstructive Speaker of the House, that whomever might succeed to the Speakership will be worse, your words underscore the madness of the Republican Party (like the madness of King George III, from which Americans liberated themselves from the Mother Country over there). Under John Boehner, the Republicans have prostrated themselves to the extreme right radicals in Congress. President Obama won two terms, and would win again a thrid and a fourth term if the presidential term limit amendment was repealed. He is our greatest President since Franklin Delano Roosevelt. John Boehner left, resigned, got out while the going was good, tears at the podium, green tie and all, during Pope Francis's visit to Washington, DC, New York City and Philadelphia. He is creeping away from his leadership of Congress, from his seat in the House and from all the responsibility he bears for a GOP that is no longer a Grand Old Party but a house of Bedlam. John Boehner's exit from his position of power and authority (no matter how negative, malign and destructive to our country) is where we are at today. Dr. K, can things possibly get worse?
2
"No good Speaker of the House"......The Speaker and Republicans do not exist in a vacuum.....their very existence depends on the frighteningly ignorant electorate created by a failed public education system.
This level of low information among the public invites a further decline in government toward a dangerously extremist right wing presidency.
The shocking tone of the Republican candidates should jolt Americans into action!
This level of low information among the public invites a further decline in government toward a dangerously extremist right wing presidency.
The shocking tone of the Republican candidates should jolt Americans into action!
8
Dr. Krugman must relieve himself of doubts that Republicans are not willing to wreck democracy to seize power. Imagining that Boehner's obstruction of necessary deficit spending was a mistake is a waste of time. Republicans and Boehner do not give a damn about the economy that the 99% live in. They just want power. The business that Republicans can be relied on to be responsible is long over. Like the loyal whites in the south during the civil war, Republicans have proven over and over again that they will not fight for the common good or the United States of America. Look at their presidential candidates and ask is there one among them who can be trusted to lead our country in a way that will serve anyone but the rich? If you do you are likely rich or just a racist who thinks Obama is a Kenyan Muslim.
6
I am poor and white but still think Rubio and/or Kasich will do very well.
Poor John Boehner. Now he must accept his $200,000+ pension and Cadillac health care package - for life. A noble sacrifice indeed.
11
Dr. Krugman's assessment is apt and honest re, Mr. Boehner; less than a victim, Boehner has been a willing leader to this obstructionism that has cost our country dearly.
5
Harry Reid did the same. Deficit spending has not been stopped or slowed. Billions were lent to GM and what did we get? A return to profits by selling low mileage trucks and the death of hundreds. Good job.
He tried to reach across the aisle...of his own party.
6
The Tea Party would ideally be a political party all its own, and Trump would possibly found yet another party. I'd love to see this. Then the debate and conflict would take place in the form of election campaigns and tugs of war between parties in Congress, which our system could support. But with everyone housed in the one Republican party, they must resolve their differences in the primaries, which reward dissembling from one's true conscience because one is pandering to a subset of voters, and in power struggles like choosing a speaker, where only one sub-party can even feel heard. The mathematics of our voting system appears to ensure that we can only have two parties because we must make choices like "do I vote for Ralph Nader and throw my vote away, or vote for one of these two mainstream candidates so they don't accidentally lose?" Therefore, voting reform feels like the place to address this insanity. There are alternative systems that are deployed in various US municipalities and other countries that we could adopt everywhere like instant runoff or ranked choice voting.
The insanity in the GOP is partially that there are some crazy people in there, but mainly the issue is that those crazy people must be Republicans in order to be heard. It feels good and proper for us to have a Crazy People party or two. They could have their own web site and everything!
The insanity in the GOP is partially that there are some crazy people in there, but mainly the issue is that those crazy people must be Republicans in order to be heard. It feels good and proper for us to have a Crazy People party or two. They could have their own web site and everything!
2
Dear Mr. Krugman,
"But the economy did well enough for Mr. Obama to win re-election with a solid majority in 2012."
Garnering 51.1% of the popular vote is hardly a 'solid' majority; it's barely a majority at all. If you are speaking of the arcane 'electoral votes', indeed, he won a bunch of those but, as reality, unfortunately, is showing us now, close to 1/2 the American public is buying the GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATEs message, enough that the Democrats took a drubbing in 2014 even with a paltry 36% of registered voters doing their job.
I am certainly not defending the likes of Mr.Boehner and his henchmen but I am now concerned that the old proverb, "better the devil you know than the devil you don't know" will hold sway.
In short, if you think things were bad with the ever weepy Mr. Boehner then just hold onto your hats, the ride's gonna' get a whole lot worse!
These "extremists" seem to get out and vote hence making the possibility of one of the clowns from the circus the Republicans have given us becoming the president.
Remember, polls show that 45% of Americans believe in ghosts, there are innumerable programs that tout UFOs and Bigfoot and a good chunk of the GOP/TP/K.A. still thinks Mr. Obama is a foreign born, Islamic terrorist.
I think, in the coming months, we'll end up, shudder, missing Mr. Boehner as the new 'puppet' that becomes Speaker of the House will be happy to let the government just shut itself down over trivia or doctored films.
"But the economy did well enough for Mr. Obama to win re-election with a solid majority in 2012."
Garnering 51.1% of the popular vote is hardly a 'solid' majority; it's barely a majority at all. If you are speaking of the arcane 'electoral votes', indeed, he won a bunch of those but, as reality, unfortunately, is showing us now, close to 1/2 the American public is buying the GOP/TP/KOCH AFFILIATEs message, enough that the Democrats took a drubbing in 2014 even with a paltry 36% of registered voters doing their job.
I am certainly not defending the likes of Mr.Boehner and his henchmen but I am now concerned that the old proverb, "better the devil you know than the devil you don't know" will hold sway.
In short, if you think things were bad with the ever weepy Mr. Boehner then just hold onto your hats, the ride's gonna' get a whole lot worse!
These "extremists" seem to get out and vote hence making the possibility of one of the clowns from the circus the Republicans have given us becoming the president.
Remember, polls show that 45% of Americans believe in ghosts, there are innumerable programs that tout UFOs and Bigfoot and a good chunk of the GOP/TP/K.A. still thinks Mr. Obama is a foreign born, Islamic terrorist.
I think, in the coming months, we'll end up, shudder, missing Mr. Boehner as the new 'puppet' that becomes Speaker of the House will be happy to let the government just shut itself down over trivia or doctored films.
156
When viewed in recent historical perspective, 51.1% of the popular vote for an incumbent president qualifies as "solid." George W. Bush garnered 50.73% of the popular vote in 2004 (and crowed that he had earned political capital and intended to spend it), while Bill Clinton got under 50% (49.23%) in 1996.
The point is, the country's been split more or less 50/50 along ideological lines for years. True, the GOP has out-mobilized Democrats in the last two midterm elections. But I don't see how any of the current Republican candidates could to pull together the coalition required to win a national election. Individually, they seem to be doing their best to alienate one key constituency after another.
The point is, the country's been split more or less 50/50 along ideological lines for years. True, the GOP has out-mobilized Democrats in the last two midterm elections. But I don't see how any of the current Republican candidates could to pull together the coalition required to win a national election. Individually, they seem to be doing their best to alienate one key constituency after another.
6
Yes, how is 51.1% a solid majority. Krugman is talking up Obama now to stay aligned with the Hillary as Dem candidate. We will see more of this.
45% in US believe in ghosts? Hard to believe---why, with another 6 points, that would reach the so called 'solid majority'. What about evolution and climate change? And the scientific method as opposed to dogma?
In other countries many fewer voters are superstitious and religiously oriented. They've managed to elect their leaders with public funding, at a fraction of the cost and time we squander on our elections. Even their conservatives accept what here would be too left wing for the Gop congress--climate change, spending on infrastructure, health care, education. What is the connection? It's modernity vs backwardness.
45% in US believe in ghosts? Hard to believe---why, with another 6 points, that would reach the so called 'solid majority'. What about evolution and climate change? And the scientific method as opposed to dogma?
In other countries many fewer voters are superstitious and religiously oriented. They've managed to elect their leaders with public funding, at a fraction of the cost and time we squander on our elections. Even their conservatives accept what here would be too left wing for the Gop congress--climate change, spending on infrastructure, health care, education. What is the connection? It's modernity vs backwardness.
1
Let's take a different perspective on your numbers. President Obama won the popular vote in 2012 by over 5,000,000 votes. That's a fair number. And, despite your surprising wish to downplay the "arcane" electoral count, the fact of the matter is that he won in an electoral landslide. The election wasn't close. When major networks are already projecting a winner before my east coast bedtime, that signals an election that wasn't close.
It will, however, be imperative that those who still retain sanity get out and vote in 2016. Gerrymandering insures the GOP continued control in the House but Democrats have a chance in the Senate. Above all, however, the election of a Democratic president is imperative. We will, in our lifetimes, not have seen times as dark as those that might come should the GOP retain the House and Senate and also win the White House. All of the gains made since the first creature walked upright and learned to use those opposable digits will be up for grabs.
Think about it.
It will, however, be imperative that those who still retain sanity get out and vote in 2016. Gerrymandering insures the GOP continued control in the House but Democrats have a chance in the Senate. Above all, however, the election of a Democratic president is imperative. We will, in our lifetimes, not have seen times as dark as those that might come should the GOP retain the House and Senate and also win the White House. All of the gains made since the first creature walked upright and learned to use those opposable digits will be up for grabs.
Think about it.
8
The real issue is that the "adults" in the GOP have decided to sacrifice their integrity and the good of the country for political purposes. The actual number of crazies in the GOP congress is pretty small. They are a noisy minority. The number of crazies who vote in primaries is unfortunately a larger minority.
Responsible political leaders in a time of national crisis (2008--2013 or so) would have collaborated with the opposition - within reason - to forge workable solutions. They would have marginalized the wild-eyed radicals in their own party - and those of the other party - to form a strong and broad middle. The GOP has failed spectacularly in that basic democratic process. Until the adults take charge and show a little spine and honesty, they are a blight on the country.
Responsible political leaders in a time of national crisis (2008--2013 or so) would have collaborated with the opposition - within reason - to forge workable solutions. They would have marginalized the wild-eyed radicals in their own party - and those of the other party - to form a strong and broad middle. The GOP has failed spectacularly in that basic democratic process. Until the adults take charge and show a little spine and honesty, they are a blight on the country.
4
The way I see it, Boehner's obstructionism (and McConnell's as well) has provided an excellent training seminar for Democrats in how to counter right-wing extremism in Congress. So whoever gets the nod for speaker is going to have a more difficult time, irrespective of his or her ideological bent, in steering Congress to the right. And lets not forget that there is an election coming up next year. Congressional elections can be very unpredictable.
3
"What’s more, it has been an era of budget blackmail, in which threats that Republicans will shut down the government or push it into default unless they get their way..."
What the GOP has been doing is not blackmail, it's straight out extortion. If Mafioso's were doing that to someone, we'd throw 'em in jail. But when congressmen do it, we give them a nice salary and the best health care on earth.
Up is down, black is white, day is night in Washington, D.C.
What the GOP has been doing is not blackmail, it's straight out extortion. If Mafioso's were doing that to someone, we'd throw 'em in jail. But when congressmen do it, we give them a nice salary and the best health care on earth.
Up is down, black is white, day is night in Washington, D.C.
3
Oooops Paul.... Deficit is at all time high since the Obama admin.
Oops, I think that was a result of tax cuts on the wealthy, a trillion dollar war in Afghanistan and Iraq and a near depression all a legacy of GWB.
1
You seem to watch too much fox. They are the least informed people.
Please look up the difference between debt and deficit.
1
It's not blackmail, it's extortion. Blackmail is threatening to disclose a secret if you don't get what you want. Extortion is threatening harm that benefits no one if you don't get what you want. (Both are distinct from compromise, which is trading for things you each want.)
Actually, though, harm may be exactly what these Republicans want. It helps make the case that government is always bad.
Actually, though, harm may be exactly what these Republicans want. It helps make the case that government is always bad.
3
I had thought our winner-take-all legislative process and government was superior to that of Israel, where every crackpot and bigot with even a few votes gets a seat in their legislature....where they become Kingmakers, because without acceding to their extremist demands, neither of the parties that get most of the vote, can get the majority necessary to form a government. They are the pig in the middle, the spoilers of Israel's governance.
So I had thought our system, which readily forms a majority and thus can govern, was superior, immune to the madness of Israeli governance. I was wrong. The "conservative" (do tell, what do they conserve?) rump of the GOP is doing just that spoiling and holding the whole country hostage to their extremism and bigotry
So I had thought our system, which readily forms a majority and thus can govern, was superior, immune to the madness of Israeli governance. I was wrong. The "conservative" (do tell, what do they conserve?) rump of the GOP is doing just that spoiling and holding the whole country hostage to their extremism and bigotry
3
That's why the German constitution negotiated by the victorious allies after WW II provides for only five party lines on election ballots.
i am an independent and really dislike the Tea Party , but it will be nice when Krugman's time in the sun is over. he is not omniscient concerning economics
I am disappointed by the lack of attention all economists give to the incapacity of monetary policy to substitute for failed fiscal policy under the "dual mandate" Congress placed on the Federal Reserve Bank.
Excellent article and exactly to the point by Dr. Krugman as usual.
1
The Planned Parenthood video is clearly "bearing false witness." I thought one of the Ten Commandments covered that, but in the republican "pick-and-choose" world I guess that doesn't mean "manure?"
8
While I agree with all that Mr. Krugman says about Mr. Boehner, the real core of the problem is a gerrymandered system that gets far right obstructionists elected year after year. Yes, Mr. Boehner has not been a good speaker but to put the full blame on him rather than a rigged system ignores a great deal of the problem.
6
Check the record.
Republicans cooperated until after March, 2010 – major legislation as well as confirmation of federal judges including two liberal U.S. Supreme Court justices. Cooperation ground to a halt after March 23, 2010, the date President Obama signed into law an ACA that had been rammed in Congress, despite UNANIMOUS Republican rejection when there had been plenty of examples of bipartisanship on other matters initiated by Democrats. Later that year, Democrats paid for their arrogance: they lost the House and barely escaped losing the Senate. Since then Democrats can’t seem to staunch the bleeding, and we now have an undivided Republican Congress and a majority of Republican governorships and statehouses.
The argument about the rosiness of the Obama tenure is one-sided, ideologically interested bombast, as is the claim that Republicans haven’t participated in the governance of this nation. Republicans disagree with Democratic policies, and use what leverage they have against a president whose policies they reject. Surprise, surprise. Yet because they do they’re a “blackmail caucus”. The major issues this time around aren’t limited to Planned Parenthood funding, but also include the sequester, the Iran deal, the Ex-Im bank and the Highway Trust Fund. Legitimate bones of contention.
Controlling purse-strings is the prerogative of Congress, not the president. Deal with it. You don’t like the outcome? Elect more Democrats – but you can’t seem to do that, can you?
Republicans cooperated until after March, 2010 – major legislation as well as confirmation of federal judges including two liberal U.S. Supreme Court justices. Cooperation ground to a halt after March 23, 2010, the date President Obama signed into law an ACA that had been rammed in Congress, despite UNANIMOUS Republican rejection when there had been plenty of examples of bipartisanship on other matters initiated by Democrats. Later that year, Democrats paid for their arrogance: they lost the House and barely escaped losing the Senate. Since then Democrats can’t seem to staunch the bleeding, and we now have an undivided Republican Congress and a majority of Republican governorships and statehouses.
The argument about the rosiness of the Obama tenure is one-sided, ideologically interested bombast, as is the claim that Republicans haven’t participated in the governance of this nation. Republicans disagree with Democratic policies, and use what leverage they have against a president whose policies they reject. Surprise, surprise. Yet because they do they’re a “blackmail caucus”. The major issues this time around aren’t limited to Planned Parenthood funding, but also include the sequester, the Iran deal, the Ex-Im bank and the Highway Trust Fund. Legitimate bones of contention.
Controlling purse-strings is the prerogative of Congress, not the president. Deal with it. You don’t like the outcome? Elect more Democrats – but you can’t seem to do that, can you?
2
Watching Romney run against his own health care reform law for Massachusetts hardened my belief that Republicans are just plain liars.
3
Please name the legislation the GOP supported up until March 2010. Name one thing that they were willing to help on. Seriously, I'm not sure how you typed that with a straight face. The obstruction began day one and has not stopped.
1
It's called gerrymandering. The democrats do get more votes but the gerrymandering keeps putting more republicans in the house. You seem to forget what the republicans agreed to the day after Obama was elected. They would not pass anything he wanted.
But why let facts get in your way.
But why let facts get in your way.
Yes Paul, you know who to blame for the global economy, ME fighting and the mess of more taxes, carbon taxes, John Boehner. You got your scape goat and that should please the Democrats. Your conclusions is that we should be thanking the Democrats who know how to print money and keep us out of debt due to its value as the leading reserve currency and world's Petro dollar.
The problem is that both Republican and Democratic should understand that America is desperate for leadership and will accept most anyone over a Clinton or a Bush. More and more Americans are feed up with all the lies about what they do and what the other party does. This country for the most part no mater what religious beliefs welcomes honest and decent leadership like Pope Frances.
The problem is that both Republican and Democratic should understand that America is desperate for leadership and will accept most anyone over a Clinton or a Bush. More and more Americans are feed up with all the lies about what they do and what the other party does. This country for the most part no mater what religious beliefs welcomes honest and decent leadership like Pope Frances.
You do realize whose side Pope Francis is on, don't you?
1
I have always tried to look at the candidate and NOT the party, but after witnessing the rise of the Tea Party and the subsequent behavior of the GOP leadership I can never support a Republican again. They have completely disgraced themselves in the last six years. And the congressman who yelled "you lie!" during Obama's State of the Union address a few years ago should have been escorted outside by the guards and thrown in the street.
17
To "look at the candidate and NOT the party" may be useful for small local elections, but keep in mind that for national offices, you want to vote for the platform goals of the party that more closely resembles your own thinking.
Thus, even if our #1 pick doesn't get nominated to run for President, we vote for their party anyway, in order to pursue the same goals.
Thus, even if our #1 pick doesn't get nominated to run for President, we vote for their party anyway, in order to pursue the same goals.
Thank you, Dr. Krugman. I've been feeling nauseous all weekend reading all the paeans in the press to the "good man," the "grown-up," the "leader who knew how to compromise," etc. Buckeyed hogwash!
I remember January 2009. The inaugural balls weren't even over before McConnell and Boehner were manhandling each other, hoping to be the first to declare that Obama would fail. Cantor was running around the scrum, like an inbred terrier, nipping at their heels and tails, hoping for a juicy earlobe or ounce of torn flesh. DCPD were still removing the crowd barriers from the presidential parade route when GOP hacks started fomenting the birther movement. McConnell won that scrum, declaring that GOP policy henceforth would focus on ensuring the president failed--as if anyone ever thought otherwise. But Boehner presided hand-in-hand with the senior senator from the failed state of Kentucky over the lies, threats, back-stabbing and bigot stoking obstructionism of the last 7 years.
No nice goodbyes from here, Johnny boy. Go weep at a football game, you fake-tanned phony.
I remember January 2009. The inaugural balls weren't even over before McConnell and Boehner were manhandling each other, hoping to be the first to declare that Obama would fail. Cantor was running around the scrum, like an inbred terrier, nipping at their heels and tails, hoping for a juicy earlobe or ounce of torn flesh. DCPD were still removing the crowd barriers from the presidential parade route when GOP hacks started fomenting the birther movement. McConnell won that scrum, declaring that GOP policy henceforth would focus on ensuring the president failed--as if anyone ever thought otherwise. But Boehner presided hand-in-hand with the senior senator from the failed state of Kentucky over the lies, threats, back-stabbing and bigot stoking obstructionism of the last 7 years.
No nice goodbyes from here, Johnny boy. Go weep at a football game, you fake-tanned phony.
14
Re "The Boehner era has been one in which Republicans have accepted no responsibility for helping to govern the country, in which they have opposed anything and everything the president proposes."
Let's face it, the GOP just cannot countenance a blackman in the WH, regardless how competent, capable and wise. It's racism straight up.
Let's face it, the GOP just cannot countenance a blackman in the WH, regardless how competent, capable and wise. It's racism straight up.
15
Evidence?
Strong stuff. But sadly true. America grows in spite of itself.Imagine how it would grow if it grew up.
1
I can't stand the guy, but he is not the biggest problem. Boehner did take up the "Belt Tightening" cry. Bad leadership? With out doubt. But to pin it on Boehner is to let the hardliners continue their rabid mad dog act intimidating anyone who comes close,foaming at the mouth intractiable.
Rabid dogs will die of their disease. Hardliners must be put down. Boehner can leave of his own volition or pushed out. It makes little difference if the rabid dogs remain. Everyone is handwringing at how their seats are considered safe, they have been allowed places on committees, they go unnamed and therefore evade responsibility for what they do--or don't. They have been put in place with dark money, gerrymandering, and rigged voter laws. They get inordinate amount of press just because the loudness and crassness makes for a more spicy news report. No one ever confronts them directly and in high profile with the uncivil, immoral, unethical, and hypocritical, not to mention unchristian while thumping bibles and wrapped in flags.
All of these are weak points to capture and put down these rabid dogs. Are we doing any of it?
No, we're wringing our hands about John Boehner.
We are attacking him for what all of us also are not doing. Mind you I think he's the Eddie Haskel of the republican party, but he's not that important right now.
Essential is gathering the resolve to go after the rabid dogs and put them down. Anything less makes us all party to disaster.
Rabid dogs will die of their disease. Hardliners must be put down. Boehner can leave of his own volition or pushed out. It makes little difference if the rabid dogs remain. Everyone is handwringing at how their seats are considered safe, they have been allowed places on committees, they go unnamed and therefore evade responsibility for what they do--or don't. They have been put in place with dark money, gerrymandering, and rigged voter laws. They get inordinate amount of press just because the loudness and crassness makes for a more spicy news report. No one ever confronts them directly and in high profile with the uncivil, immoral, unethical, and hypocritical, not to mention unchristian while thumping bibles and wrapped in flags.
All of these are weak points to capture and put down these rabid dogs. Are we doing any of it?
No, we're wringing our hands about John Boehner.
We are attacking him for what all of us also are not doing. Mind you I think he's the Eddie Haskel of the republican party, but he's not that important right now.
Essential is gathering the resolve to go after the rabid dogs and put them down. Anything less makes us all party to disaster.
Very well stated, thank you. Clear and unflinching writing like this continues to be an important reality check against what happens next in the imploding Congress and dysfunctional Presidential campaign.
The power to deal with the Republicans, as well as with the Democrats, resides in the hands of the majority of the American voting citizenry. If the majority votes in the upcoming elections this insures the current Republican nuttiness will recede into history because they are a minority opinion. And they will remain so (a minority) so long as they espouse the delusional politics that have become their policy statement to the world. I suspect over time they will change their stance because their constituency will change. But it will take time.
John~
American Net'Zen
John~
American Net'Zen
This Clockwork Orange Tea Party destructive rage, as you say, is borne out of spite and ignorance. How does it end? Perhaps by ending Congressional gerrymandering of "snake like" districts that send these mean spirited politicians to Washington to "lead". So......Vote!
4
The GOPTP is much like the fine people of Salem (as is in Mass.), or at least the most prominent citizens of Salem. Upstanding (at least not outed yet), hyper-religious, and just plain pious. When these folks saw problems around them,rather than considering actual ways to solve them, they jumped right to the possibility of witches, marshalled the citizenry to find them and burned them, alive (amoungst other things). When that failed to solve anything, rather than taking that opportunity to address their failures, they burned a few more and a few more .....
2
Yup, big yup, and even bigger yup.............Government gone mad, like a mass murderer who kills many, making hundreds suffer for his insanity, only on a larger scale.
3
” Yes, the G.O.P. has become an “insurgent outlier” that is “ideologically extreme” and “unmoved by conventional understanding of facts, evidence and science.”
My take is that they will never let facts get in the way of their opinion.
My take is that they will never let facts get in the way of their opinion.
4
So, Obama is a "highly successful President."
That might be true if Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Russia, Pakistan and Iran simply didn't matter. But I doubt it.
That might be true if Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Russia, Pakistan and Iran simply didn't matter. But I doubt it.
This will depend in part on what the next President and/or the Congress will or will not accomplish. Hoover, whether we like it or not, is judged by the accomplishments of Roosevelt.
People who know him say that Kevin McCarthy is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Someone described him as Eric Cantor minus at least 10 IQ points. So don't expect the speaker's job to become a bastion of sense and sensibility. McCarthy probably can't identify an economic theory.
3
And your point is pointless.
Did Ronald Reagan win two terms as POTUS due to his intellectual brilliance?
Sharp Knife was the name given to Andrew Jackson by Native Americans.
Did Ronald Reagan win two terms as POTUS due to his intellectual brilliance?
Sharp Knife was the name given to Andrew Jackson by Native Americans.
If there any "adults in the room" left in the GOP ranks, they had better soon step forward to save the GOP and the USA. The "adults" of the GOP must find a way to isolate the Tea Party seditionists, make them a group unto their own, small enough to drown in the Norquist bathtub.
6
Truth is. Sometimes it needs to be said. Thank you Dr Krugman for telling it like it is.
7
Or http://home.uchicago.edu/rmyerson/research/weimar.pdf
Political Economics and the Weimar Disaster
Will we ever learn?
Political Economics and the Weimar Disaster
Will we ever learn?
2
Taking Krugman's view and the one from the other Times 'man, Tom Friedman, about the forces of order and disorder at work in the world, we should be far more worried. Like ISIS, Libya, and many points in the world, there are at loose a wide, unaffiliated but ideologically linked band of violent destroyers aiming only at destabilizing their regions and breaking governments. I am surprised that no one makes much of this analogy between the Tea people and those they act like. I appreciate Paul, and Tom, pointing as clearly as they can in that direction saying 'look, look', so let us see and say the name recognizing that the results desired by ISIS in Iraq and Syria and the Tea people in DC is the same--nasty, brutish, and short lives. How easily they sacrifice the future for us all.
5
PK: "But with a Democrat in the White House, Mr. Boehner demanded that policy go in the opposite direction, declaring that “American families are tightening their belts. But they don’t see government tightening its belt.” And he called for government to “go on a diet.”
Rima Regas:
"This was know-nothing economics, and incredibly irresponsible at a time of crisis; not long ago it would have been hard to imagine a major political figure making such a statement. Did Mr. Boehner actually believe what he was saying?"
"This is giving John Boehner credit and a power he has never possessed. That power has rested and still rests behind ALEC and the Heritage Institute..." "...Boehner has always been a Koch-puppet, and not a puppet master."
"... Boehner quit because the Kochs have lost full control of the orchestrated chaos they sowed."
If the above seems too harsh, we should remember that John Boehner once passed out lobbyist checks on the floor of congress.
Politicians advocating for once-Republican-supported policies favored by over 70% of the people (such as a higher minimum wage, infrastructure spending, and keeping SS) are ignored or demonized by our media, while hate radio (filled with misinformation and extremist positions on wedge issues) is funded, in order to divide the people and suppress popular policies.
Government shutdown is the direct result of that strategy.
Rima Regas:
"This was know-nothing economics, and incredibly irresponsible at a time of crisis; not long ago it would have been hard to imagine a major political figure making such a statement. Did Mr. Boehner actually believe what he was saying?"
"This is giving John Boehner credit and a power he has never possessed. That power has rested and still rests behind ALEC and the Heritage Institute..." "...Boehner has always been a Koch-puppet, and not a puppet master."
"... Boehner quit because the Kochs have lost full control of the orchestrated chaos they sowed."
If the above seems too harsh, we should remember that John Boehner once passed out lobbyist checks on the floor of congress.
Politicians advocating for once-Republican-supported policies favored by over 70% of the people (such as a higher minimum wage, infrastructure spending, and keeping SS) are ignored or demonized by our media, while hate radio (filled with misinformation and extremist positions on wedge issues) is funded, in order to divide the people and suppress popular policies.
Government shutdown is the direct result of that strategy.
4
To make the comedy complete, the tea party shills are celebrating! The world has gone mad as a hatter as the absurdity of this party of waste, rudeness and tantrum is trying to pass Boehner's exit as part of thoughtful public policy. As the anarchists call themselves patriots and the libertarians seek to take away women's rights and the trickle downers ask for more free stuff- Americans who think can only laugh till we cry.
6
Would we as a nation benefit from behaving as if we have three political parties in fact if not in principle?
In the House we have the Democrats led by Nancy Pelosi and the Republicans to be led by John Boehner's successor.
We now have, too, a de facto third party -- essentially the successors to the John Birch Society with a dose of libertarian beliefs.
What if President Obama, in the next round of negotiations, negotiated with the formal and de facto heads of all three parties as if they each had a seat at the table?
In other words, does a political party exist if its publicly elected members never vote in accord with the wishes of their leadership?
My answer: no.
In the House we have the Democrats led by Nancy Pelosi and the Republicans to be led by John Boehner's successor.
We now have, too, a de facto third party -- essentially the successors to the John Birch Society with a dose of libertarian beliefs.
What if President Obama, in the next round of negotiations, negotiated with the formal and de facto heads of all three parties as if they each had a seat at the table?
In other words, does a political party exist if its publicly elected members never vote in accord with the wishes of their leadership?
My answer: no.
5
Based upon the countless articles by this so-called economist, the right is atavistic, ideologically challenged, stupid, xenophobic, obstreperous, delusional, hostile, ugly and just downright mean.
Yet, their brilliant liberal opponents, for all of their genius, were unable to find a way to outwit them, save the poor or even preserve the middle class.
The rich got richer and richer and the liberal establishment seemed ever more lost at sea.
Imagine, the brilliance of Nobel Prize academics, the virtue and integrity of ethical humanistic superiority, the side of peace and justice, the savior of the people and more were, nevertheless, consistently checkmated by the primitive pawn pushers on the right and even after eight years, the liberal establishment discovered no way to win a single game.
Kind of funny, when you think about it.
Enjoy the crash...
Yet, their brilliant liberal opponents, for all of their genius, were unable to find a way to outwit them, save the poor or even preserve the middle class.
The rich got richer and richer and the liberal establishment seemed ever more lost at sea.
Imagine, the brilliance of Nobel Prize academics, the virtue and integrity of ethical humanistic superiority, the side of peace and justice, the savior of the people and more were, nevertheless, consistently checkmated by the primitive pawn pushers on the right and even after eight years, the liberal establishment discovered no way to win a single game.
Kind of funny, when you think about it.
Enjoy the crash...
2
Winning without cheating would blow your mind, eh?
Don't watch FOX much do you? Republican voters do. Hard to convince people with facts when they have such a strong belief system supported by right wing talk radio and TV. How hard is it to convince white people that all black people are criminals or on welfare? Rove will tell you. Piece of cake!
1
Outwit them? What good would that do, if you can't outvote them?
It is becoming scary that Conservatives have become so unreasonable and recalcitrant. How can we, as constituents trust these people to actually legislate? They obviously hate our president and disguise their hatred with "we just don't like his policies" but then offer none of their own.
To actually attempt to repeal Obamacare over 50 times knowing full-well that doing so would be impossible sends signals only to the religious extremists who disguise their hatred with their shallow attempts to be "Christian" is really getting tiresome.
To actually attempt to repeal Obamacare over 50 times knowing full-well that doing so would be impossible sends signals only to the religious extremists who disguise their hatred with their shallow attempts to be "Christian" is really getting tiresome.
20
The media doesn't show the alternatives. They prefer you continue to demonize the Republicans with false information. BTW, Obamacare is crushing the middle class economically. And it will get worse. The core problems to health care were never addressed.
It's hard to know what the U.S. should do abroad. We entered Iraq and made a mess; we refrained from entering Syria, and it's an even bigger mess. Perhaps we should have done the opposite: i.e. not toppled a tyrannical but fairly stable Iraq, and helped a revolution in Syria that was already happening without us. But that might simply have aggravated the nativist Islam faction to even greater efforts. In short, we influence world events whether we interfere with them or not. There seems no alternative at this point in history to nation-states, which need to be based on some mythos of community. Either a nation is one because of a legend of blood-kinship (we are all one big family) or of kinship based on common religion - ideally both. America is the great exception, but for many Americans it's race - we're all white, and therefore kinfolk. That's the reason our racism is so hard to overcome, because white Americans won't accept black Americans, or Asians or Hispanics, as members of our family. And Republicans since Nixon's southern strategy have preyed on this atavism - divide and rule.
5
Mr. Krugman you say, "Still, things could have been worse." That sounds like an abused spouse who won't leave theirr abuser because, "At least he/she didn't beat me." But he/she would have in time and he/she might even have killed them. Time to get rid of all the ALEC/Koch brothers/ Wall Street/u.s. chamber of commerce/radical religious right/nra/major media operatives in OUR governments at all levels and stop their abuse of OUR democracy. NOW is the time.
5
Get rid of them yourself, if you know how.
Isn't it pretty clear to all by now: the Republican party uses the fears and biases of their "low-information" base to get elected so that they can then work tirelessly to promote the monied interests who provide them with the funding to win the votes of those "low-information" voters. There are not enough wealthy people to elect Republicans to promote the wealthy's agenda (basically, more money for them), so the Republicans cynically use the hot button issues of their base - which as educated people they know to be ridiculous, e.g., Obama is a secret Muslim and not an American, to get into positions of power to then throw red meat to the base - issues that garner big headlines and don't genuinely effect the quality of anyone's life - while quietly slipping caviar to their paymasters in the form of adjustments to an already pliant tax code weighted in favor of the wealthy. Those arcane and technical adjustments do not make for good headlines, but they can make for a great deal of money to the wealthy who paid through their campaign contributions to get them enacted. It's a non-virtuous circle.
The modern Republican party is as quintessentially corrupt as a political party can get. Cynical manipulation of their base to get elected, after which they vigorously promote policies antithetical to that base and in favor of their wealthy campaign contributors.
And the entire country suffers for it.
Anyone else think we should strip the money out of politics?
The modern Republican party is as quintessentially corrupt as a political party can get. Cynical manipulation of their base to get elected, after which they vigorously promote policies antithetical to that base and in favor of their wealthy campaign contributors.
And the entire country suffers for it.
Anyone else think we should strip the money out of politics?
20
When I was in my early teens, although still pretty naive politically, I remember repeatedly asking, Why would anybody vote for these people? I knew enough to know that their constituency had to be pretty small, so how could they ever get elected?
Maybe because I grew up in a family hearing about a west coast politician who made hay by lying about and demonizing people named Jerry Voorhis and Helen Gahagan Douglas; and stoking the red scare flames.
Maybe because I grew up in a family hearing about a west coast politician who made hay by lying about and demonizing people named Jerry Voorhis and Helen Gahagan Douglas; and stoking the red scare flames.
1
As a foreign born citizen from Europe. a continent collectively considered to be a socialist welfare heaven by our dear Republican leaders, I will never understand - after having lived here for almost three decades - that an extremely large percentage of Americans constantly vote against their own economic interest.
To paraphrase George H. W. Bush, it is not the economy, it is the education, stupid.
To paraphrase George H. W. Bush, it is not the economy, it is the education, stupid.
32
Sarah, even the "educated" ones in the south, repeatedly vote against our collective interests. Ideology, religion, race, faith, values blah blah take center role in their decision.
2
You're paraphrasing Bill Clinton, not Poppy Bush. Well, you've only lived here for three decades, so we'll give you a pass.
1
Mea culpa, Squeaky,. You are indeed correct.
I don't know if I could call Obama a successful president or not, due at least in part to his failure to even attempt a single payer option and to his failure to prosecute any bankers responsible for the crippled economy he inherited. But, I agree with everything else the good Dr. has to say here.
10
President Obama knew he would not be able to get a single payer system passed, but being the poor negotiator that he is, rather than leading with a single payer system and negotiating to something more to Republicans liking, he simply lead with the Republican Romneycare, designed to benefit the existing for-profit medical and insurance business. Somehow he managed to miss the point that the Republican leadership had already declared that they were going to make him a one-term president and oppose ANYTHING he put forward. He could have proposed a single payer plan and received the exact same reaction. Oh well, what we have is still better than nothing.
Do you think trying for, and failing to achieve, single-payer should count toward Obama's successfulness as President? I don't. Failure is not success.
Selective memory in the budget shutdowns of the 1980's and 1990's. Is it really the house that is shutting down 1/3 of government or the president who refuses to compromise? The power of the purse rests with the lower house-it is their JOB to watch our spending and income. Both parties have done a poor job.
While deficit spending may be necessary to help smooth a recession, the current administration says we have been out of recession and growing since 2009. Why are we still racking up hundreds of billions in deficits?
Mr. Obama famously said in 2009 "sorry Eric but we won" when jamming the Obamacare plan through. Yet he refused to acknowledge republican wins in both 2010 and 2012 taking over the house and senate. He claimed that his people did not vote therefore the R party had no claim to additional power or oversight.
While Obamacare may have reduced in ranks of uninsured, it has also upended the coverage of millions and forced many of us in the middle class to pay higher premiums, much higher deductibles, but my 60 year old wife has maternity care and I get free breast exams-every 5 years.
Krugman might take note of verse about removing the log from your own eye before pointing out the sliver in your neighbor's.
While deficit spending may be necessary to help smooth a recession, the current administration says we have been out of recession and growing since 2009. Why are we still racking up hundreds of billions in deficits?
Mr. Obama famously said in 2009 "sorry Eric but we won" when jamming the Obamacare plan through. Yet he refused to acknowledge republican wins in both 2010 and 2012 taking over the house and senate. He claimed that his people did not vote therefore the R party had no claim to additional power or oversight.
While Obamacare may have reduced in ranks of uninsured, it has also upended the coverage of millions and forced many of us in the middle class to pay higher premiums, much higher deductibles, but my 60 year old wife has maternity care and I get free breast exams-every 5 years.
Krugman might take note of verse about removing the log from your own eye before pointing out the sliver in your neighbor's.
1
The "Obamacare" plan was "jammed" in with 60 Senate votes. It was not nearly as radical as a Single Payer plan would have been considered, in fact it was a plan based on conservative ideas.
How is it, that every single Republican Senator, even Republicans who once publically favored such a plan all voted against it. This was right from the beginning, there was never a Republican effort to find compromise or to work with the President.
How is it, that every single Republican Senator, even Republicans who once publically favored such a plan all voted against it. This was right from the beginning, there was never a Republican effort to find compromise or to work with the President.
3
I think many of you forget that HC premiums were skyrocketing well before the ACA. I watched, year after year, as my benefits were cut ,while my premiums increased by double digits in the early 2000's. Selective memory at best for many of you. It's kind of sad.
You also seem to forget that Obama was willing to compromise, but no matter what he did, no matter what Congress did, the GOP would not vote for anything that might give Obama a win. Period. You can't have compromise if the other side is saying "Give me everything I want and you can have nothing". For shame on your revisionist history. Delusions do not help fix our problems at all. Where have you been living that you cannot see the fallacy of your comments.
You also seem to forget that Obama was willing to compromise, but no matter what he did, no matter what Congress did, the GOP would not vote for anything that might give Obama a win. Period. You can't have compromise if the other side is saying "Give me everything I want and you can have nothing". For shame on your revisionist history. Delusions do not help fix our problems at all. Where have you been living that you cannot see the fallacy of your comments.
1
Sorry you're the one that is cherry picking facts to fit your narrative. You fail to mention the obstructionism thrust on the majority. Thank goodness the President moved forward on programs that have helped. Ever reflect on your own selfishness while you crying about how you had to contribute more for the common good. By the way, flyover land, does your State contribute surplus to the Federal Budget or is your State receiving more Federal support than your citizens pay? I know Washington State contributes more Fed Taxes than we receive and the majority of us aren't crying for change.
1
The Republican party has become the last refuge of the delusional minority ! They have provided a home to those that can't believe that a polluted earth is a real threat to human existence, to those that don't think hearth care is a public concern and that women should be seen and not heard especially when it comes to reproductive rights. It also has appealed to those that think that high walls will prevent immigration even thought historically as the Pope even pointed out this nation was built on immigration.
Behind the delusional attitude there is fear of change , fear of rationality and almost a paranoid attitude. Generally elected officials should represent rational ideas however Republicans have for so long nurtured their relationship with the delusional that maybe they have become prisoners of what was once just a way to pick up a few votes…that is the optimistic scenario, the more pessimistic one that the leadership is as delusional as the votes they are reaching for makes me fear for our democracy !
Behind the delusional attitude there is fear of change , fear of rationality and almost a paranoid attitude. Generally elected officials should represent rational ideas however Republicans have for so long nurtured their relationship with the delusional that maybe they have become prisoners of what was once just a way to pick up a few votes…that is the optimistic scenario, the more pessimistic one that the leadership is as delusional as the votes they are reaching for makes me fear for our democracy !
9
The Republican party may be an "insurgent outlier," but it has managed to take control of both houses of Congress and the majority of state governorships and legislatures, and shares its ideology with a substantial bloc of the US Supreme Court. To take the house, by gerrymandering Congressional districts, is one thing, but to take the Senate, whose members are elected in statewide elections, is even scarier. "Outlier" seems like the wrong word at this point; the madness has caught up large swaths of the country, and they're dragging the rest of us down with them.
8
Lets take your State as an example, You have 2 Senators with a population of about 40 million. Do you realize the number of Senators that the states in fly-over country have with far fewer people? Nuff said.
The "doctored video" claim tries to diminish a mountain of evidence with the assertion that a molehill at the foot of it was misleadingly edited. Throw the baby out with the bathwater, but by all means throw the baby out!
The Border Patrol under Obama may as well go on permanent furlough. It serves no essential purpose whatsoever.
Obama's abuse of the executive process is tragic, real, top-down transformative, and much of it is going to get decisively and affirmatively rolled back in the coming years. In fact, Democrat over-reach is so insulting and so arrogant, a lot more than they dream of may be rolled back.
The Border Patrol under Obama may as well go on permanent furlough. It serves no essential purpose whatsoever.
Obama's abuse of the executive process is tragic, real, top-down transformative, and much of it is going to get decisively and affirmatively rolled back in the coming years. In fact, Democrat over-reach is so insulting and so arrogant, a lot more than they dream of may be rolled back.
2
If anything is rolled back it will be a national tragedy for you, and your children.
To address your misinformed Planned parenthood comment, Fetal tissue research has been responsible for sweeping discoveries and great good for humankind. Polio, Rubella, Diabetes research and more. Since 1934, fetal tissue has been used. Just like harvesting organs for transplants - it isn't pretty but it is necessary. That people aren't weeping in the video doesn't mean anything. Its voluntary- people sign papers saying its ok to use the issue and the videos were basic lies that are being said over and over by Repugnican holy rollers. The border patrol comment defies all logic. There has been no increase in undocumented immegrants and the jobs they "take" are jobs no American wants. Are you or your buddies interested in picking lettuce? Mowing lawns? Washing dishes? Working at Mc'd's or any of the other very tough, low pay jobs out there?
To address your misinformed Planned parenthood comment, Fetal tissue research has been responsible for sweeping discoveries and great good for humankind. Polio, Rubella, Diabetes research and more. Since 1934, fetal tissue has been used. Just like harvesting organs for transplants - it isn't pretty but it is necessary. That people aren't weeping in the video doesn't mean anything. Its voluntary- people sign papers saying its ok to use the issue and the videos were basic lies that are being said over and over by Repugnican holy rollers. The border patrol comment defies all logic. There has been no increase in undocumented immegrants and the jobs they "take" are jobs no American wants. Are you or your buddies interested in picking lettuce? Mowing lawns? Washing dishes? Working at Mc'd's or any of the other very tough, low pay jobs out there?
1
So a "doctored video" is acceptable in your mind because it supports your cause without regard for truthfulness. You make a claim about the Border Patrol but point to no evidence. You accuse the President of abuse but offer no evidence. You accuse Democrats of over-reach that is insulting and arrogant. When sir do you "feel" it would be appropriate to actually bring facts and evidence into the equation? This Country has suffered for decades the actions of those that demand we dismiss facts and evidence in pursuit of their needs. Those days are coming to an end, the lies and false propaganda of the GOP has sealed its fate.
1
Professor Krugman questions the sanity of the Republican party and rightfully so.
This Party appears to have set its own course for self-destruction and appears to have done so unwittingly.
But then their analytical capabilities can easily be called into question - as we all have observed on a regular basis.
The Republican electorate's preference for an outsider - however flawed and inappropriate that person may be - is a direct result of the continual Republican denigration of government that has taken place since the Reagan years of flagrant and faulty influence.
This contempt for government and the rise of the Tea Party has finally turned around and bitten the GOP in its ........... royal rear.
They simply have not grasped the reality of how self-destruction comes about.
The Tea Party lit the match, the Party is imploding, and It couldn't have happened to a more deserving entity.
They deserve the current chaos in which they now find themselves.
I only hope that it all portends success for all Democrats in the upcoming elections. Better that then the sinking of the Ship of State with the Republicans at the helm and with all of us on board.
It is time for the adults to take charge.
Vote accordingly.
This Party appears to have set its own course for self-destruction and appears to have done so unwittingly.
But then their analytical capabilities can easily be called into question - as we all have observed on a regular basis.
The Republican electorate's preference for an outsider - however flawed and inappropriate that person may be - is a direct result of the continual Republican denigration of government that has taken place since the Reagan years of flagrant and faulty influence.
This contempt for government and the rise of the Tea Party has finally turned around and bitten the GOP in its ........... royal rear.
They simply have not grasped the reality of how self-destruction comes about.
The Tea Party lit the match, the Party is imploding, and It couldn't have happened to a more deserving entity.
They deserve the current chaos in which they now find themselves.
I only hope that it all portends success for all Democrats in the upcoming elections. Better that then the sinking of the Ship of State with the Republicans at the helm and with all of us on board.
It is time for the adults to take charge.
Vote accordingly.
9
The Republican Party has been on a downhill trajectory ever since the Birchers claimed Eisenhower was a communist dupe. Somehow nearly half of the electorate has bought into their retrograde plan for the nation. Large numbers vote against their own interests in support of the "job creators, who do not create jobs, but claim perpetual governmental interference. With the 1% & their ever expanding income disparity over the rest of us, what incentive do they actually have to create jobs?
5
It's no mystery about how nearly half the electorate has bought into the "retrograde plan for the nation". 24/7 right wing propaganda that misinforms and inflames prejudice. Fox News has done more damage to this country than any other source from the right. Roger Ailes has a lot to answer for.
1
Thank you Mr. Krugman for saying it like it is. John Boehner was another cog running the infernal machine known as the GOP, a party in the pocket of a shadow government of multinational corporations and oligarchs. However, I feel the ultimate blame for our problems lies in the lap of the American people for allowing the Republican base to bully it. Until we get over our allergy to education, we can expect fear to rule our choices of whom we have represent us. Americans' inchoate, and in-denial, grasp of reality opens the flood gates to exploitation by venal con-men.
The quote attributed to De Tocqueville, though it is uncertain if he truly said it, that people get the government they deserve, is at work here. In a democracy the people choose their representatives and we have allowed gangsters shilling for big money into our halls of government. Those who believe the lies, and those who indifferently don't vote, are to blame for our current fix. Thank you for being a voice of reason in a country that may have lost it.
The quote attributed to De Tocqueville, though it is uncertain if he truly said it, that people get the government they deserve, is at work here. In a democracy the people choose their representatives and we have allowed gangsters shilling for big money into our halls of government. Those who believe the lies, and those who indifferently don't vote, are to blame for our current fix. Thank you for being a voice of reason in a country that may have lost it.
8
Cut Planned Parenthood's federal subsidy by 25% and both sides can call it a win. President Obama will not veto the bill or shut down the government over a well deserved haircut.
The larger and more important issues, like tax reform, are not mentioned in the article because the Democrats are clueless at tax reform. We are relegated to ideas from the likes of Mr. Trump as he releases his comprehensive tax reform this morning.
The larger and more important issues, like tax reform, are not mentioned in the article because the Democrats are clueless at tax reform. We are relegated to ideas from the likes of Mr. Trump as he releases his comprehensive tax reform this morning.
1
If cutting PP for a public relations compromise, why not just 3% of its federal funding?... (that equals the 3% of PP's expenses that goes toward abortions, even though, already by law, none of this 3% abortion funding comes from the government/taxpayers.)
1
Why cut PP's funding at all? It is a fact- (sorry if that eludes you) that Federal tax dollars cannot be spent on abortions- which count for 3% of PP's budget anyway.
fetal tissue has been used since 1934 to great success for research . Polio, Rubella, Diabetes, etc... can all hang their hat on fetal tissue research.
To even give weight to a overly doctored video thats spout outright lies is insane.
Its not pretty but neither is organ donation. Bodies are kept "live" until organs can be harvested. Then that cute cheerleader or your high school football star has his/her chest cracked and their eyes, heart, kidneys and lungs removed - you want to watch the process or see the results. Its all voluntary and people know going in that they are saving lives with their pain.
fetal tissue has been used since 1934 to great success for research . Polio, Rubella, Diabetes, etc... can all hang their hat on fetal tissue research.
To even give weight to a overly doctored video thats spout outright lies is insane.
Its not pretty but neither is organ donation. Bodies are kept "live" until organs can be harvested. Then that cute cheerleader or your high school football star has his/her chest cracked and their eyes, heart, kidneys and lungs removed - you want to watch the process or see the results. Its all voluntary and people know going in that they are saving lives with their pain.
2
It is not a win to deny that planning parenthood is an essential element of limiting climate change.
All these politicians with their big broods of kids are acting out denial.
All these politicians with their big broods of kids are acting out denial.
1
Using political tactics to shut down the government of the United States is a threat to our national security, if not outright treason.
If a foreign state or terrorist group came into our country and pulled this kind of stunt it would be swiftly identified as an act of war, and dealt with accordingly.
The legislative process needs to be changed in order to prevent elected representatives from having the power to shut down our government, because clearly the American public has been, for far too long, too ignorant and/or apathetic to be capable of keeping the kinds of people who would commit this kind of harm to our nation out of elected office.
If a foreign state or terrorist group came into our country and pulled this kind of stunt it would be swiftly identified as an act of war, and dealt with accordingly.
The legislative process needs to be changed in order to prevent elected representatives from having the power to shut down our government, because clearly the American public has been, for far too long, too ignorant and/or apathetic to be capable of keeping the kinds of people who would commit this kind of harm to our nation out of elected office.
8
Clearly, ' "... the G.O.P. has become an “insurgent outlier” that is “ideologically extreme” ' but nonetheless they control the House and Senate! I'm dumbfounded how their fanaticism when viewed nationally is so obviously marginal but when practised locally is so effective. The statistical tail is certainly wagging our national, political dog.
7
"[t]he case for a further stimulus in 2009 was overwhelming. But with a Democrat in the White House, Mr. Boehner demanded that policy go in the opposite direction..." Huh? The 2009 Stimulus was written by Democrats, passed by a Congress with large Democratic majorities, and signed into law by President Obama. If "the single biggest reason" the economy hasn't bounced back yet was that package was too small, you have only the Democratic Party to blame.
2
Good sir, please do not attempt to infect the Opinion Pages of the NY Times with facts.
With zero Republican votes, the Democrats could only pass bills watered down enough to get all 60 Democrat senators to unanimously agree upon.
And after Scott Brown took Kennedy's seat, even that wasn't enough, so no *further* stimulus could be made available when it became abundantly obvious it was needed.
So, for the umpteenth time: no, the GOP was not absolved of responsibility to govern just because Dems briefly had enough senators to, if unanimous, override omnipresent GOP filibusters. As if.
And after Scott Brown took Kennedy's seat, even that wasn't enough, so no *further* stimulus could be made available when it became abundantly obvious it was needed.
So, for the umpteenth time: no, the GOP was not absolved of responsibility to govern just because Dems briefly had enough senators to, if unanimous, override omnipresent GOP filibusters. As if.
1
Meanwhile, Mike's other hand is using yours to slap you and he's telling you to stop hitting yourself. Tomorrow, he'll tell you that the President used a Democratic Majority to "Ram ________ down our throats without consulting anyone across the aisle." See how this line of argument works? There's no good way to deal with the right wing today. They're the schoolyard bully and the victim at the same time.
1
John Boehner had no way to reconcile the diverse interests and conflicting demands of the congressmen it was his great misfortune to have to try to lead, and so he resigned.
That does not make everything he said or did wrong, however, and it does not make him a "terrible" speaker of the House.
Millions of Americans vote Republican. Many Americans opposed deficit spending to stimulate the economy. Boehner's comments simply reflect the views of these people.
The liberal vision of deficit spending is like a fairy tale. Government steps in during an economic downturn and deficit finances a multitude of projects due to be done anyway, lifting employment and economic activity until the private sector rebounds and prosperity returns and GDP increases to bring the debt to GDP ratio back into line.
The reality may be quite different, of course. If Chris Christie would shut down traffic to a bridge to punish a local mayor, how do you thing he would allocate infrastructure spending.
Billions of dollars poured into questionable projects selected because they were "shovel-ready" in a process rife with pork-barrel politics and carried out by well-connected contractors getting richer by the minute, leaving the economy in no better shape than when the process started but with a few trillion more added to the national debt and all the problems that caused the downturn without a remedy.
That does not make everything he said or did wrong, however, and it does not make him a "terrible" speaker of the House.
Millions of Americans vote Republican. Many Americans opposed deficit spending to stimulate the economy. Boehner's comments simply reflect the views of these people.
The liberal vision of deficit spending is like a fairy tale. Government steps in during an economic downturn and deficit finances a multitude of projects due to be done anyway, lifting employment and economic activity until the private sector rebounds and prosperity returns and GDP increases to bring the debt to GDP ratio back into line.
The reality may be quite different, of course. If Chris Christie would shut down traffic to a bridge to punish a local mayor, how do you thing he would allocate infrastructure spending.
Billions of dollars poured into questionable projects selected because they were "shovel-ready" in a process rife with pork-barrel politics and carried out by well-connected contractors getting richer by the minute, leaving the economy in no better shape than when the process started but with a few trillion more added to the national debt and all the problems that caused the downturn without a remedy.
1
Christie left this region in danger of economic catastrophe from failure of crumbling trans-Hudson train tunnel. He's an idiot.
1
It looks like you've absolved Boehner and the GOP of any responsibility to lead rather than pander, and assumed based on nothing but a completely irrelevant anecdote that all infrastructure spending is wasted.
Not at all. I don't absolve anyone. Boehner tried to do his job, and he couldn't, because it was impossible.
My beef with PK is that based on his column one might think Boehner alone was responsible for limiting government stimulus spending, when in fact there was widespread opposition to stimulus spending beyond a certain point.
The fact is there is great distrust in the US government across a broad section of Americans which is a very real constraint on actions the government might take in any given situation. PK seems unwilling to admit this about America, he would rather criticize the choices made by the politicians elected to represent the people who think this way. It seems to me PK's approach is not constructive, it just deepens the divides, it doesn't help anything.
My beef with PK is that based on his column one might think Boehner alone was responsible for limiting government stimulus spending, when in fact there was widespread opposition to stimulus spending beyond a certain point.
The fact is there is great distrust in the US government across a broad section of Americans which is a very real constraint on actions the government might take in any given situation. PK seems unwilling to admit this about America, he would rather criticize the choices made by the politicians elected to represent the people who think this way. It seems to me PK's approach is not constructive, it just deepens the divides, it doesn't help anything.
To be fair, the GOP's proclivity to make reality conform with its beliefs or wishes began in the Bush administration. Krugman forgets that White House aides states that government actions would create the facts to justify them. So this nonsense has a long pedigree, is not to be associated only with Tea Party Republicans, and extends to the GOP establishment as well. The lack of respect for reason, using facts and inferences to make decisions, is a clear and present danger to democracy as we know it. For when the "facts" fail, the GOP minority will resort to force to maintain their power. That prediction reflects facts of history.
11
It started much, much earlier than W. Remember how, after Obama was elected, it seemed that we'd been transported back to the McCarthy era -- and earlier -- with all the weirdly anachronistic language about Communism, Socialism, Marxism (where none of the buffoons spouting the words had any inkling of their definitions)? That tells you when this started. It started when movement conservatism started -- Buckley, the red scare, ..., and before to the 30's -- and has, like a contained virus, lie dormant for all these years waiting for its chance to bust out of its containment. The whittling away of liberal backbone into cowardly center-right, believe-in-nothing, stand-for-nothing neo-liberalism achieved its apotheosis in Barack Obama, and the Great Conservative Recession along with Obama and the Democrat's propensity to cave to brow-beating gave it the chance to escape.
And here we are. Only one thing will defeat it. Confrontation -- direct, resolute, proud. Make it clear to the public there is a *war* over what the world of the future is to look like. The right does not want the same things; they want a different world. They have to lie about what their objectives are. They have to be confronted. Head on.
And here we are. Only one thing will defeat it. Confrontation -- direct, resolute, proud. Make it clear to the public there is a *war* over what the world of the future is to look like. The right does not want the same things; they want a different world. They have to lie about what their objectives are. They have to be confronted. Head on.
6
Try this weird old trick:
For every "GOP" write "Grand Old Party" instead. Because that's the default definition.
Then read the post back and see if you agree with it.
For every "GOP" write "Grand Old Party" instead. Because that's the default definition.
Then read the post back and see if you agree with it.
Obama as did Bush at the end of 2008 appreciated that the Great Recession required applying economic policies that seemed to work for Roosevelt after Hoover had tried all the means thought sound by the market based theorists but had no effect. We saw economic policy remedies which conservatives condemned when Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon all used them and they seemed to work used by Bush and then Obama. When they did not work in the 1970's for some reason the American people, even Democratic leaders, trusted that the conservatives might have been right, all along, and let them try the supply sides and market driven solutions with government drawing back, until everything went south, because of the boom and bust conditions that resulted, and the failure of giving the very rich all the countries' capital to invest failed to provide the domestic economic boom promised by RR. It makes sense that the Republican refuse to give up the polices that have failed because they had other reasons to support them, they always wanted lower and lower taxes and to let businesses do what they wanted without government restrictions going back to the Civil War.
4
Dr. Krugman only feeds Republican obstructionism by saying they are afflicted by an "underlying malady." This rhetorical diagnosis, which can only further inflame Republicans, misses the real and rather simple point. The Republicans, who see themselves as comprising the "backbone" of America and the true leadership class (look at all the Republican CEO's), want the power that comes with the White House. And their financiers want no disturbance of their cash flow. They tried to delegitimize Obama because they could use his blackness, his "foreignness," to gain support by appeals to racism. Their demonizing of him is merely a rallying cry to their rank-and-file. It's dirty politics, nasty politics, power politics. But that's what it is. Wrong-headed it may be. But "madness" it is not. Calling them "mad" only gets them off the hook.
16
you have the tail wagging the dog. Because of the Republican CEO's you have more Republican wacko's in congress.
The is madness all right at the level of conservative voter supporting the policies for millionaires. It is pure madness because these policies hurt them and the mad people lash out at wrong political fraction.
1
Wouldn't the political Right have to actualyy READ Paul for him to ''inflame Republicans?'' Not too much chance of that now that he's left economics so far behind.
Professor Krugman writes:
“Mr. Boehner is quitting because he found himself caught between the limits of the politically possible and a base that lives in its own reality. But don’t cry for (or with) Mr. Boehner; cry for America, which must find a way to live with a G.O.P. gone mad.”
Speaker John Boehner, after selling his political soul to the Tea Party, found himself between Scylla (the rocky shores of the limits of political possibilities) and Charybdis (the whirlpool of the Tea Party madness). Moreover, Speaker Boehner created the situation that necessitated incidit in scyllam cupiens vitare charybdim, and he should be held to account for all his Scylla and Charybdis machinations to undermine President Obama and the nation.
Two critical and infamous actions by Speaker Boehner serve as exemplars of his Benedict Arnold behavior. The first of his critically undermining actions was his action to shut down the United States Government in an effort to undermine health care for millions of Americans (also known as Obamacare). The second of his Benedict Arnold action was to host a foreign leader (Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu) whose intent was to undermine the foreign policy of the United States of America. These two actions by Speaker John Boehner shall live in infamy.
Some people describe Speaker John Boehner as a good man, but truly his actions belie such descriptions.
“Mr. Boehner is quitting because he found himself caught between the limits of the politically possible and a base that lives in its own reality. But don’t cry for (or with) Mr. Boehner; cry for America, which must find a way to live with a G.O.P. gone mad.”
Speaker John Boehner, after selling his political soul to the Tea Party, found himself between Scylla (the rocky shores of the limits of political possibilities) and Charybdis (the whirlpool of the Tea Party madness). Moreover, Speaker Boehner created the situation that necessitated incidit in scyllam cupiens vitare charybdim, and he should be held to account for all his Scylla and Charybdis machinations to undermine President Obama and the nation.
Two critical and infamous actions by Speaker Boehner serve as exemplars of his Benedict Arnold behavior. The first of his critically undermining actions was his action to shut down the United States Government in an effort to undermine health care for millions of Americans (also known as Obamacare). The second of his Benedict Arnold action was to host a foreign leader (Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu) whose intent was to undermine the foreign policy of the United States of America. These two actions by Speaker John Boehner shall live in infamy.
Some people describe Speaker John Boehner as a good man, but truly his actions belie such descriptions.
33
Let's be honest; nothing but sour grapes here. We are doing well thanks to Mr. Boehner and his allies in Congress. Stocks are up, money is cheap, and workers are well motivated. In fact, millions of Americans are becoming richer everyday. Exceptional healthcare, legal representation, and other services are available on the free market. We are finally free to financially support candidates for office. Our military rules the world except for small enclaves such as Russia and China. The misguided, surprisingly popular socialist program of the sixties has been turned back. Even for the unschooled, unlettered and those who choose not to work, there probably has never been a better time to be an American as they are protected from starvation. May God give us the blessings we deserve.
4
Wow. What country are you living in? I really hope that entire screed was sarcasm, but...
"In fact, millions of Americans are becoming richer everyday." - False. Wages have been stagnant for decades, dating to the Reagan era, when manufacturers started hollowing out the American workforce. If you are referring to stock market gains, those disproportionately go to the richest 10%. More than half of Americans have no exposure to the stock market (53%).
"Exceptional healthcare, legal representation, and other services are available on the free market." - What you leave out here is they are available to those who can afford them. Also, healthcare outcomes in the US trail far behind those of other developed economies, so "exceptional" is an incorrect adjective.
"Our military rules the world except for small enclaves such as Russia and China." - Don't know where to start with this one - first time I've ever heard Russia and China referred to as "small enclaves." We rule the world so well that the defense department crowds out investment in the private sector in many different fields.
"there probably has never been a better time to be an American as they are protected from starvation." - Right... so the GOP's cutting of the SNAP budget ensures all Americans eat, right? 1 in 7 US households are considered "food insecure." Hardly a paragon of caring for our own.
"In fact, millions of Americans are becoming richer everyday." - False. Wages have been stagnant for decades, dating to the Reagan era, when manufacturers started hollowing out the American workforce. If you are referring to stock market gains, those disproportionately go to the richest 10%. More than half of Americans have no exposure to the stock market (53%).
"Exceptional healthcare, legal representation, and other services are available on the free market." - What you leave out here is they are available to those who can afford them. Also, healthcare outcomes in the US trail far behind those of other developed economies, so "exceptional" is an incorrect adjective.
"Our military rules the world except for small enclaves such as Russia and China." - Don't know where to start with this one - first time I've ever heard Russia and China referred to as "small enclaves." We rule the world so well that the defense department crowds out investment in the private sector in many different fields.
"there probably has never been a better time to be an American as they are protected from starvation." - Right... so the GOP's cutting of the SNAP budget ensures all Americans eat, right? 1 in 7 US households are considered "food insecure." Hardly a paragon of caring for our own.
1
"Our military rules the world except for small enclaves such as Russia and China."
Yeah, we're doing such a wonderful job in the Middle East.
Yeah, we're doing such a wonderful job in the Middle East.
Or, things are great in spite of all that Speaker Boehner and his cohorts have done to oppose and obstruct.
Boehner's leaving will require a reshuffling of Congressional Republicans' leadership and physical office space. Given their inability to organize anything, Republicans may actually give the nation a reprieve for several months as they focus on immediate tasks of who does what and who sits where. Their jockeying for power, their relentless in-fighting, their hapless ineptitude will be more focussed upon themselves. And we can count on the Republican candidates for the presidential nomination to weigh in with their advice and influence.
The gang that can't shoot straight will be preoccupied at least through the election. Good for America, wonderful for soon-to-be President Clinton. She is the only person with the savvy to deal effectively with whatever mess emerges from a reorganized House. Part of her dealing will be made much easier because she will already have cleaned house with her broad coattails.
The gang that can't shoot straight will be preoccupied at least through the election. Good for America, wonderful for soon-to-be President Clinton. She is the only person with the savvy to deal effectively with whatever mess emerges from a reorganized House. Part of her dealing will be made much easier because she will already have cleaned house with her broad coattails.
8
It's sad to see Paul Krugman degenerate into what is essentially name-calling, and not terribly original name-calling at that. It certainly will not deter Republicans from doing what they believe is right. To the extent that it contributes to overconfidence on the Democratic side, it may well help them.
1
Paul Krugman is right. The modern day GOP is to the right of the John Birch society. What was considered far right as recently as the 1980's (and would have been laughed off the stage), is now considered main stream. It is everything that we were warned about and you make light of it at your own peril. This is a situation that we should ALL be taking very seriously. The Tea Party and those would cater to them, are leading us down a rabbit hole that I'm not sure there is an escape from. Just because the GOP "believes" their right, doesn't make it so. McCarthy believed in Communists everywhere, did that make him right? Why do we allow these people to spout their nonsense while chastising those who are trying to set the record straight? Lest you forget, freedom of speech does not mean freedom from rebuttal. Let's call a spade a spade, and the modern day GOTP what it is, a bigoted, uneducated group of far right agitators with an outsized voice. We need more posts like Krugmans, not less.
2
You're right, but imagine the readings of Paul's blood pressure were he not venting so regularly!
And what do the republicans see as "doing what's right."? Shutting down government? Producing false scandals? Voting down everything and anything? That's called governing?
1
I do not, for one minute, think the Republicans actually believe their own snake oil. We have done the experiment again and again both on state and federal levels. Compare Kansas or Mississippi or New Jersey to Maryland or California or New York. Compare the Bush/Reagan or GWBush administrations to Clinto or Obama. The Republicans must know by now that that their economic policies are failures while the Democrats are successes. My frustration is two fold. First had the Republicans not been totally obstructionist under Obama we would be far better economically than we are today and second the failure of the American public in general to realize that Republicans are both wrong on economics and wrong on social policy.
19
Paul Krugman writes a column against conservative Republicans who actually have the courage of their convictions, while he continues to flog his line that deficit spending ad infinitum will be good for the country; don't worry about paying for it. Why am I not surprised?
As for Planned Parenthood, why should I subsidize an organization that murders innocent human life? My morals are stronger than that.
As for Mr. Boehner, he needs to be replaced by someone who will stand up to the most partisan president in my memory, and maybe our nation's history.
As for Planned Parenthood, why should I subsidize an organization that murders innocent human life? My morals are stronger than that.
As for Mr. Boehner, he needs to be replaced by someone who will stand up to the most partisan president in my memory, and maybe our nation's history.
@Ron Wilson
Like most Republican extremists you lie and distort I'm afraid. Krugman does not say deficit spending ad infinitum is good for the country and don't worry about paying for it. He says it has a role particularly in times of crisis a reality the last Republican president recognized when the deficit in FY 2008/9 (his last) came in at $1.4 trillion the highest in history. And aborted fetuses are not human life either scientifically or legally.
Like most Republican extremists you lie and distort I'm afraid. Krugman does not say deficit spending ad infinitum is good for the country and don't worry about paying for it. He says it has a role particularly in times of crisis a reality the last Republican president recognized when the deficit in FY 2008/9 (his last) came in at $1.4 trillion the highest in history. And aborted fetuses are not human life either scientifically or legally.
14
Why should I support a prison system that sanctions abuse of prisoners, a state that executes people who later are found to be innocent, and a military that tramples on citizens of other countries who did not attack us? You one issue voters make me tired.
Not one cent of Federal tax money is spent by Planned Parenthood on abortions. Not one cent. So you are upset because??
1
All else aside - and there is alot to set aside - let us get to the real problem.
The time has come for a Reformation.
The time has come to reform the House of Representatives.
What I mean by that is the need for a new process by which to determine how the representatives from each state are assigned the district that each will represent in the House.
The current process of gerrymandering must be abolished and a new process must be established, as the process has become governed by political influence and is corrupt.
The current process is unwieldy, is damaging, and is a hinderance to the working effectiveness of the House.
I suggest that each state be divided into a simple grid of squares of equal area based on the size of the state itself.
Squares can be joined together to create areas of equal population and will be larger or smaller square areas as a result.
Each newly formed area will send a representative to the House.
Discrimination of any kind will be eliminated as a result.
Areas will change based on a changing residential population, as of each Census taken every ten years.
If anyone wishes to add to my quickly determined analysis ..........
Please feel free to do so.
Reformation has to start from the bottom up - as usual.
The time has come for a Reformation.
The time has come to reform the House of Representatives.
What I mean by that is the need for a new process by which to determine how the representatives from each state are assigned the district that each will represent in the House.
The current process of gerrymandering must be abolished and a new process must be established, as the process has become governed by political influence and is corrupt.
The current process is unwieldy, is damaging, and is a hinderance to the working effectiveness of the House.
I suggest that each state be divided into a simple grid of squares of equal area based on the size of the state itself.
Squares can be joined together to create areas of equal population and will be larger or smaller square areas as a result.
Each newly formed area will send a representative to the House.
Discrimination of any kind will be eliminated as a result.
Areas will change based on a changing residential population, as of each Census taken every ten years.
If anyone wishes to add to my quickly determined analysis ..........
Please feel free to do so.
Reformation has to start from the bottom up - as usual.
5
This country hasn't got a clue about the effects of positive or negative feedback.
I agree with you that gerrymandering is a big problem. However, I don't think your idea would work unfortunately. This is because large urban areas are so dense that you would have to make the squares very small in relation to the area of a state in order to be able to come up with districts that have equal population, and thus there would be almost as much ability to gerrymander as there is now. Currently there are about 700,000 people in a house district on average. Let's take New York State as an example. Manhattan alone, at 23 square miles, has 1.6 million people. So in New York State, your squares would have to be around 10 or 11 square miles in order to come up with districts in area around New York City with correct population. Let's make it an even 10 square miles. New York State has an area of 54,556 square miles, so you would have 5,455 squares to work with in order to assemble the 27 house districts that NY State has. There are an almost infinite number of ways you could slice and dice them so I don't see how this would lead to a better result.
To Ken A.
Thank you for your analysis.
I will study it and develop another solution to the problem at hand, if so required.
Or modify my own solution, if so required.
Do you have a suggestion as to how to establish a new process for the thorny problem of House representation.
You appear to be interested and you have a good feel for numeric detail.
We may be locked out in this particular spot given time restraints.
Will keep an eye out for Ken A in Portland, OR in this NYT comment arena, however.
Thank you for your analysis.
I will study it and develop another solution to the problem at hand, if so required.
Or modify my own solution, if so required.
Do you have a suggestion as to how to establish a new process for the thorny problem of House representation.
You appear to be interested and you have a good feel for numeric detail.
We may be locked out in this particular spot given time restraints.
Will keep an eye out for Ken A in Portland, OR in this NYT comment arena, however.
Justifiable words for a leader complicit in blocking governmental actions to get out of "W's" recession sooner. The republican party, contrary to even basic rules in politics, has been very consistent in obstructing Obama at each step of the way,with tremendous damage to the country. This has racist undertones for sure, but it demonstrates what happens when willful ignorance is applied with so much devotion, divorcing reality from their rigid ideology. The party of NO lacks basic lessons in civics, no proper upbringing with decent values, and following the 'golden rule'. This will, eventually, backfire; unfortunately, in the meantime, lots of people will suffer the inequities imposed by the G.O.P.; to add insult to injury, all this stupidity and nastiness inflicted on the rest of us was/is totally unnecessary. Insofar Mr. Boehner's role, an 'F' performance for his lack of courage. Good riddance!
12
All that you say is true, and the Republican party is looking more and more like a right wing party from a Banana Republic. Scarey indeed. But I do think the President and Democrats deserve some blame. In the middle of the economic crash, first thing on deck for the new President is to expand health care to the uninsured. Surely a noble cause but the timing was among the biggest political gaffes that I can ever remember. The political capital expended to ram this through was never recovered by the President or the Democratic party.
1
The for-profit-only health care system was serious drag on the economy, financially crushed tens of thousands of Americans (if not millions) and killed tens of thousands more who could not afford care or insurance. That is why Presidents from both parties spent ninety-seven years trying to fix the most appalling system in the industrialised world. President Obama will be remembered very favourably in history for pushing through the ACA, imperfect though it is. Anyone who can't see how it was an essential step forward on both economic grounds and for common decency simply wasn't paying attention.
7
Medical insurance is a cost plus 20% profit business.
@ Red Lion, We can only hope that the baby step of the ACA, aka ObamaCare, will, under a Democrat as president, lead to universal healthcare akin to the one in other advanced nations of the world, a system that not only spends less than half on healthcare than the US, but as well with better health outcomes for their population at large.
1
Paul Krugman's calling out the Republican extremists for their behavior is right on. However, this must be viewed in a historical context--this type of righteous and potentially destructive attitude is a consistent feature of the American political environment going back to the Whiskey Rebellion and probably longer. Continued vigilance and willingness to confront those who would paralyze government is essential. We live with this issue constantly under our obstructionist governor, Paul LePage.
3
Making a huge guess here: I am betting Maine's governor is Republican.
In the Civil War thousands of poor whites were unquestioningly willing to do the bidding of a Southern aristocracy and die in order to maintain a system which also pauperized them. Myths of chivalry and biblical citations spurred them on. The blessing of not being black was reward enough for their sacrifice.
Interesting how these habits of thought manage to persist over the centuries, despite all evidence to the contrary.
Interesting how these habits of thought manage to persist over the centuries, despite all evidence to the contrary.
18
See "What This Cruel War Was Over: Soldiers, Slavery and the Civil War" by Chandra Manning.
1
The fault is not in our representatives, but rather in ourselves. The GOP has become an asylum run by the inmates, and supported by the constituents of those inmates. What to do? Here's an idea: The most popular of the inmates is elected president. Yes...President Donald Trump. If the country, and indeed the world, can survive until impeachment proceedings are concluded, then perhaps the sane and non-delusional will once again take the reigns of government, and we can begin this great experiment anew.
1
Instead of sitting down and thinking through policies and positions that would fit into the a country that is rapidly changing demographically and culturally, the Republican party adopts policies and positions that will turn the clock back to a mythical Father Knows Best era ---when white men headed the house, ruled the boardroom, and came home to dinner served by adoring wife. An era of no free stuff, no back talk, no surrender, and no disturbance. Of course, that family and that culture was a fiction, just as today, the Republican party has become a fiction.
8
"Did Mr. Boehner actually believe what he was saying? Was he just against anything Mr. Obama was for? Or was he engaged in deliberate sabotage"
So, was he too stupid to know better, or too blindly partisan to care, or just so evil he did it on purpose out of greed? Stupid, blind, or evil?
Anyway, he was orange, and in tears, which ought to have been clues that all was not well.
So, was he too stupid to know better, or too blindly partisan to care, or just so evil he did it on purpose out of greed? Stupid, blind, or evil?
Anyway, he was orange, and in tears, which ought to have been clues that all was not well.
17
John Boehner seems mildly sane in contrast to the current crop of GOP crazies running for President. They all seem to be infatuated with the military although none actually served. Boehner, born to a working class family in Reading, Ohio, helped the family by working in his Grandfather's bar from the age of 8. He joined the Navy although was honorably discharged after just 8 weeks because of a bad back. He was the 1st person in his family to attend college & took 7 years because he worked his way through. His first job after earning a BA in Business was with a small company in which he gradually worked his way up & then became the owner before being elected to Congress. All in all, he seems like a decent man although his political views are hard core right wing Conservative. I do believe what separates his brand of fanatical right wing beliefs from the rest of the wackos, is that he truly is a practicing Catholic. He is somewhat of an emotional wreck, in my opinion, who most bosses would recommend for therapy for his tendency to weep at the drop of a hat. Compare his emotionalism to the frighteningly cold blooded aggressiveness of Fiorina, Trump or Ted Cruz who tout ideas that are at odds with the very same Christian values that they're selling. Destroy the environment while supporting dirty energy, obsession w/ guns, support the death penalty, cut healthcare, etc. Boehner felt guilty after meeting with the Pope because he couldn't reconcile his beliefs with God.
7
Decently good cut-and-paste job here, but you left out Sarah Palin and Nixon. Soros and D. Frum have to be proud of you!
Another good column. And all true.
But how can the country made to realize that the Democratic plans, more specifically, the California economic and most other plans are the best medicine for the US economy? Even the Sanders plan is great if it can be implemented.
It's easy to fool the public with horrible economic plans. Look at Jeb!'s tax plan. He seems to believe it's a winning formula.
Economics is an inscrutable science, and too imprecise, too nebulous.
In any case, it is not difficult to convince the populace that a much more progressive tax system is the fairest and also quite sensible tax system.
A decent living minimum wage with good safety net measures in place is also fair whether it's good for the country as a whole, or is good for growth or not.
Growth per se is useless if it excludes large swaths of the population. Even otherwise growth with too much production based on non-renewable use of raw materials is bad for the environment as well as for our future.
Growth, as the market needs to be regulated. Free-market system is okay but if it causes too much waste it's bad. GDP growth dependent on waste is bad, whereas when it is based on higher minimum & other wages it is good.
If the amount of gasoline used is cut by half without inconveniencing travel with efficient mass transit, it may lead to reduction in GDP, which isn't bad - as the transportation centered around Manhattan.
But how can the country made to realize that the Democratic plans, more specifically, the California economic and most other plans are the best medicine for the US economy? Even the Sanders plan is great if it can be implemented.
It's easy to fool the public with horrible economic plans. Look at Jeb!'s tax plan. He seems to believe it's a winning formula.
Economics is an inscrutable science, and too imprecise, too nebulous.
In any case, it is not difficult to convince the populace that a much more progressive tax system is the fairest and also quite sensible tax system.
A decent living minimum wage with good safety net measures in place is also fair whether it's good for the country as a whole, or is good for growth or not.
Growth per se is useless if it excludes large swaths of the population. Even otherwise growth with too much production based on non-renewable use of raw materials is bad for the environment as well as for our future.
Growth, as the market needs to be regulated. Free-market system is okay but if it causes too much waste it's bad. GDP growth dependent on waste is bad, whereas when it is based on higher minimum & other wages it is good.
If the amount of gasoline used is cut by half without inconveniencing travel with efficient mass transit, it may lead to reduction in GDP, which isn't bad - as the transportation centered around Manhattan.
7
Lest we forget that the players orchestrating the blackmail initiative have for sometime had their efforts spurred by a virulent sector of the media. Through a network of ultra right talk radio and 24 hour cable news, the airways have been soaked with a mantra of hate. Like memes, these outlets spawned myths, lies and conspiracies. Their deliberate misinformation stokes fear; for as the astroturf movement known as The Tea Party know well enough- fear and anger translates to a rise in donations. Never mind that claims are baseless or facts are ignored, because for those responsible, the end justifies the means. These tactics are nothing new. As ministry of propaganda, Joseph Goebbels did the same.
9
The United States and the American people deserve better than the Republican Party.
It would have been bad enough had the GOP just been dead weight for the past six years. Yet, they pulled off an amazing feat of being both dead weight and also actively destructive and actively sabotaging all forward movement and every restorative and constructive act. The Republican party is an absolute disgrace to our nation. They are worthless as leaders and legislators.
When I look at the administration of President Obama I find myself with ever increasing admiration for what our President has accomplished in the face of the relentless hatred, sabotage, racism, intractable ideology, and overwhelming ignorance of the GOP. President Obama has won against all of this with intelligence, nuance, grace under endless pressure, and will be leaving our nation in much better shape than he inherited it.
It would have been bad enough had the GOP just been dead weight for the past six years. Yet, they pulled off an amazing feat of being both dead weight and also actively destructive and actively sabotaging all forward movement and every restorative and constructive act. The Republican party is an absolute disgrace to our nation. They are worthless as leaders and legislators.
When I look at the administration of President Obama I find myself with ever increasing admiration for what our President has accomplished in the face of the relentless hatred, sabotage, racism, intractable ideology, and overwhelming ignorance of the GOP. President Obama has won against all of this with intelligence, nuance, grace under endless pressure, and will be leaving our nation in much better shape than he inherited it.
44
The Republican strategy has been quite clear.
They started the post-Clinton Era with terrorism and an ensuing endless war, in the effort to achieve a military coup d'état in the United States (no small surprise that the reigning metaphor overseas, then, was the overthrow of foreign governments deemed unfriendly to the .001%).
At the end of that era, brief as it was, when it was clear they were losing the Presidency, and the coup d'état had failed, they crashed the economy, big-time.
After that, it was just a question of doing what the GOP has been doing since the '80's, obstructing all positive efforts and then, when the damage from their obstructionism has become apparent, pointing the fingers at the Democrats and saying, "see? told ya so. Commie Democracy Doesn't Work!"
Except none of it worked. The Republicans have been fighting a rearguard effort for the past twenty years. They are fast disappearing off the face of the earth. Like the southern slave state aristocracy they arose from, their bitterness and nostalgia and backward-facing illogic grows more obvious with every passing day.
Maybe as their last act, they will rally one last time around the Confederate Flag.
They started the post-Clinton Era with terrorism and an ensuing endless war, in the effort to achieve a military coup d'état in the United States (no small surprise that the reigning metaphor overseas, then, was the overthrow of foreign governments deemed unfriendly to the .001%).
At the end of that era, brief as it was, when it was clear they were losing the Presidency, and the coup d'état had failed, they crashed the economy, big-time.
After that, it was just a question of doing what the GOP has been doing since the '80's, obstructing all positive efforts and then, when the damage from their obstructionism has become apparent, pointing the fingers at the Democrats and saying, "see? told ya so. Commie Democracy Doesn't Work!"
Except none of it worked. The Republicans have been fighting a rearguard effort for the past twenty years. They are fast disappearing off the face of the earth. Like the southern slave state aristocracy they arose from, their bitterness and nostalgia and backward-facing illogic grows more obvious with every passing day.
Maybe as their last act, they will rally one last time around the Confederate Flag.
8
"Obama is looking more and more like a highly successful President.."
In the age of Peak Oil and Climate Change, Obama has continued the endless Wars wasting $1 Trillion per year of our Federal taxes, consuming 6% of US oil usage, 40% of that imported oil and the Pentagon the biggest greenhouse emitter on Earth. While Obama campaigned against the "Drill,Drill Drill" Republican mantra in fact he has opened the Arctic to drilling, reopened the Gulf of Mexico to drilling after the worst oil spill in history, opened the Atlantic Northeast to potential drilling and even tried to restart toxic and disastrous nuclear power. Obama could have enacted Medicare single payer for all instead of the highly wasteful and inefficient RomneyCare which still fails to cover all Americans despite a giveaway of $70 Billion a year to private insurance companies. Obama has reopened ties with Cuba and had a great move forward with the Iran nuclear deal. And his move to shutdown coal-powered electrical plants is much needed. But it is all small steps which are not going to solve our major problems like putting a bandaid on skin cancer.
We need bold steps towards the Green Transition - end the Wars, end Auto Addiction expansion with huge wastes of money like the Autos only Tappan Zee bridge, an increase in the gas tax, and most of all end the Wars which is 53% of the Federal budget.
In the age of Peak Oil and Climate Change, Obama has continued the endless Wars wasting $1 Trillion per year of our Federal taxes, consuming 6% of US oil usage, 40% of that imported oil and the Pentagon the biggest greenhouse emitter on Earth. While Obama campaigned against the "Drill,Drill Drill" Republican mantra in fact he has opened the Arctic to drilling, reopened the Gulf of Mexico to drilling after the worst oil spill in history, opened the Atlantic Northeast to potential drilling and even tried to restart toxic and disastrous nuclear power. Obama could have enacted Medicare single payer for all instead of the highly wasteful and inefficient RomneyCare which still fails to cover all Americans despite a giveaway of $70 Billion a year to private insurance companies. Obama has reopened ties with Cuba and had a great move forward with the Iran nuclear deal. And his move to shutdown coal-powered electrical plants is much needed. But it is all small steps which are not going to solve our major problems like putting a bandaid on skin cancer.
We need bold steps towards the Green Transition - end the Wars, end Auto Addiction expansion with huge wastes of money like the Autos only Tappan Zee bridge, an increase in the gas tax, and most of all end the Wars which is 53% of the Federal budget.
7
The economic policies of the GOP along with many of the planks of their platform, is similar to the past medical treat of bloodletting to "balance the humors.' What was accepted common practice that in light of better education and scientific discovery is horrifically bad practice. Thanks Paul. Keep the light shining. It is still the best disinfectant.
9
Read an interesting idea in a piece by Paul Abrams over on HuffPo.
Add 2 stipulations to the package they're getting ready to pass.
"These spending authorizations will continue in full force and effect until changed by future enactment(s), and the debt ceiling is raised to accommodate the authorized spending, plus interest, as it occurs."
Would be a great parting gesture for Boehner to eliminate these shenanigans and go a long way in rehabilitating his legacy. Or point out one of the main reasons, tea party nihilists, his legacy is so poor.
Add 2 stipulations to the package they're getting ready to pass.
"These spending authorizations will continue in full force and effect until changed by future enactment(s), and the debt ceiling is raised to accommodate the authorized spending, plus interest, as it occurs."
Would be a great parting gesture for Boehner to eliminate these shenanigans and go a long way in rehabilitating his legacy. Or point out one of the main reasons, tea party nihilists, his legacy is so poor.
2
Trying to demonize John Boehner and the Republican party he led is tantamount to demonizing the roughly half of the country that voted them in. Does Mr. Krugman think the Republicans were renegades to even their own constituents? He rejects reasoned analysis for hyperbole. There is a reason for what Mr. Krugman calls Republican madness and obstructionism and it isn't because Republicans are all insane, or that their constituents are.
The reason lies in the ordinary tussle for power that the political arena is meant to resolve. Republicans and Democrats are vying for political power. It is the democratic process.
It seems Mr. Krugman would prefer a Progressive autocracy. He perhaps forgets that his Democrats had as much of a Progressive autocracy as would be possible in the US when Obama was elected and Democrats held both houses of Congress--Obamacare would not have been possible without it. It is no accident that Democrats quickly lost one, and then the other, Congressional majority to the Republicans. Progressives might want an nice clean autocracy so that their brilliant ideas can be seamlessly implemented for the good of the people. The American people, on the other hand, prefer the politics of their democratic republic a little messier.
The reason lies in the ordinary tussle for power that the political arena is meant to resolve. Republicans and Democrats are vying for political power. It is the democratic process.
It seems Mr. Krugman would prefer a Progressive autocracy. He perhaps forgets that his Democrats had as much of a Progressive autocracy as would be possible in the US when Obama was elected and Democrats held both houses of Congress--Obamacare would not have been possible without it. It is no accident that Democrats quickly lost one, and then the other, Congressional majority to the Republicans. Progressives might want an nice clean autocracy so that their brilliant ideas can be seamlessly implemented for the good of the people. The American people, on the other hand, prefer the politics of their democratic republic a little messier.
2
This goes far beyond the ordinary tussle for power. What the Republicans have done and will continue to do is really unprecedented in our history. I'm not a political scientist, but it appears to be the result of the dramatic shift to the far right by the Republicans resulting in an incredibly high degree of polarization between the Parties in a non-parliamentary type of government ill-equipt to accomodate these developments. The Republican shift to the fight is the result of plutocratic money, not a dramatic shift to the right by the American people. The American people, even in the South, continue to support policies supported by Bernie Sanders. People must be turned off by Democratic identity politics, see that the Democrats often support policies favoring big corporations and the rich and vote for a Republican Party which really no longer exists. Even so, the Republicans can generally only win low turnout elections, when the other side doesn't bother to vote. Shamefully, the fewer voters the better for the Republicans.
4
This comment misses at least two points: (i) the unprecedentedly radical nature of this kind of "politics"-- no compromise, government shut-down, etc. (ii) the faction in question does not represent nearly half of America, but rather only a small percentage of Americans, some of whom enjoy immunity from electoral politics by virtue of gerrymandering, voter suppression, etc.
The people who are blackmailing and abusing America are not conservatives, are not a majority, are not fit to be in office.
The people who are blackmailing and abusing America are not conservatives, are not a majority, are not fit to be in office.
3
Krugman isn't just implying that Boehner and the Tea Party reflect the warped views of their constituency or saying something that's tantamount to that. He says exactly that: a large number of Republicans still subscribe to birther conspiracy theories, or think that the President is Muslim. To which he might add that a plurality, but importantly not a majority, of Iowa Republicans think that Islam should be "legal." Add to that significant Republican support for fringe issues such as the denial of global warming or evolution, the Jade Helm 15 conspiracy theory stoked by Ted Cruz, and now vaccine skepticism, and it's hard to put a good spin on the intelligence, goodwill, or voting behavior of Republicans.
None of this is to say, though, that we should have a "progressive autocracy." The question of who should get to decide is different from the question of what they should decide. To claim that Republicans more or less make uniformly bad decisions of late is not the same thing as claiming that they're not part of the electorate or should not be allowed to vote or take part in making policy. (To add a little tu quoque, conservatives and not liberals have embraced the view that having more widespread voting among the adult US population is not necessarily a good thing.) Krugman says as much: he claims that the US will have to "find a way to live with a G.O.P. gone mad." He doesn't say that we should find a way to get rid of conservative voters.
None of this is to say, though, that we should have a "progressive autocracy." The question of who should get to decide is different from the question of what they should decide. To claim that Republicans more or less make uniformly bad decisions of late is not the same thing as claiming that they're not part of the electorate or should not be allowed to vote or take part in making policy. (To add a little tu quoque, conservatives and not liberals have embraced the view that having more widespread voting among the adult US population is not necessarily a good thing.) Krugman says as much: he claims that the US will have to "find a way to live with a G.O.P. gone mad." He doesn't say that we should find a way to get rid of conservative voters.
The problem is the Republicans have split into two opposing wings. One is the "conservative media" wing and the other is the professional class of Republican politicians forming the "establishment" wing. The conservative media wing does not stand for election and does not need votes or voters just ratings. They can spew forth anything that inflames their audience, so long as that audience is large enough to bring in advertising dollars. The "establishment" wing depends on an actual ballot box - they actually need to get voters to vote for them.
The Boehner case is simply a victory for the "conservative" media wing over the "establishment" wing. That a political party should be turning over it's policy making powers to media celebrities and talk show hosts just shows how wrong it was to abandon the old FCC rules that were there to prevent politicization of the mass media.
The Boehner case is simply a victory for the "conservative" media wing over the "establishment" wing. That a political party should be turning over it's policy making powers to media celebrities and talk show hosts just shows how wrong it was to abandon the old FCC rules that were there to prevent politicization of the mass media.
5
The really worrisome part in all this is not Boehner's ineptness, or even that a blow hard narcissist like Trump; or a serial liar such a Fiorina; or a certifiable nut like Carson (ie "Obamacare is the worst thing since slavery"); or for that all the rest of the Republican Candidates are nearly as off the rails as the current leaders, but rather the fact that the vast majority of the Republican/Rightwing party - translate that to read about 40 percent of American voters - thinks any of what they are doing is normal.
That is the really scary part. It is simply no hyperbole at all to say the Republican Party is clearly and unmistakably the party of hate, ignorance, and hypocrisy.
That is the really scary part. It is simply no hyperbole at all to say the Republican Party is clearly and unmistakably the party of hate, ignorance, and hypocrisy.
57
"translate that to read about 40 percent of American voters - thinks any of what they are doing is normal."
That couldn't have happened without the Democratic party buying into and cowering to the market ideology and government bad propaganda for 40 years. That was the GOP strategy to get the country and world they want. And Democrats helped them every step of the way. Nothing gets better until there's a political force calling the Big Lies of the American right. The Democrats are useless.
That couldn't have happened without the Democratic party buying into and cowering to the market ideology and government bad propaganda for 40 years. That was the GOP strategy to get the country and world they want. And Democrats helped them every step of the way. Nothing gets better until there's a political force calling the Big Lies of the American right. The Democrats are useless.
1
As long as the Democratic party continues to stand for nothing, as long as it refuses to articulate a populist economic message that doesn't simply play an analogous false, lying "compassionate capitalism" to the lying, false "compassionate conservatism" that no longer even pretends to be compassionate, the rabidly reactionary, pre-Enlightenment, Big Lie strategizing GOP will continue to steamroll Democrats, the country, and the world with their tribal, apocalyptic, anti-science, End of Times, market neo-feudalism that should have been -- had it not been for the cowardice of the Democratic party -- nothing more than a last gasp of Reagan and movement conservatism.
All of this should have never happened. The country is very sick, very diseased. The mere fact that the GOP has gotten away with the ludicrous, nauseating outrages it has and not only has it paid no political price for those outrages, but the outrages have paid off handsomely politically for them, shows that it is not just the GOP that bears fault. They couldn't have done it without major institutions behaving irresponsibly. And that includes the supine political opposition, it includes the incompetent, narrative-loving, media, it includes the irresponsibly inattentive public, it includes Democratic supporters who allow Democrats to behave as jellyfish.
They know they can get away with it now. They're not going away. They're playing for keeps, they're winning, they know it, and it's not even close.
All of this should have never happened. The country is very sick, very diseased. The mere fact that the GOP has gotten away with the ludicrous, nauseating outrages it has and not only has it paid no political price for those outrages, but the outrages have paid off handsomely politically for them, shows that it is not just the GOP that bears fault. They couldn't have done it without major institutions behaving irresponsibly. And that includes the supine political opposition, it includes the incompetent, narrative-loving, media, it includes the irresponsibly inattentive public, it includes Democratic supporters who allow Democrats to behave as jellyfish.
They know they can get away with it now. They're not going away. They're playing for keeps, they're winning, they know it, and it's not even close.
8
"GOP" stands for something. Do you know what it is?
t@Spence
Re "Before we start demonizing Boehner, let understand the tough position he was in."
Not nearly as tough as the millions of immigrants whose desperate plight could well have been ameliorated, even avoided if Boehner had shown strong leadership guts in getting Senate ratified immigration legislation tabled in congress. He singlehandedly shirked his responsibility to give it fair hearing with the cowardly lame excuse that he couldn't trust Obama to manage its implementation. For me, he lost all credibility, and I thank god he's gone.
Re "Before we start demonizing Boehner, let understand the tough position he was in."
Not nearly as tough as the millions of immigrants whose desperate plight could well have been ameliorated, even avoided if Boehner had shown strong leadership guts in getting Senate ratified immigration legislation tabled in congress. He singlehandedly shirked his responsibility to give it fair hearing with the cowardly lame excuse that he couldn't trust Obama to manage its implementation. For me, he lost all credibility, and I thank god he's gone.
7
One must wonder if he had any thoughts about those immigrants and their suffering as he was standing near he Pope and weeping. I'm sure the Pope would have hoped that those were tears of contrition not tears of "wow, look how far up I've managed to come in this world that I'm standing next to the Pope!"
For independent voters there's hardly a dime's difference between the extremists of both major parties: neither Sanders or Cruz, as two examples, has put forward a viable plan for governance if elected President. To watch either Fox or MSNBC is to witness hysteria in two different flavors. What is sad, however, and Krugman alludes to this, is to be without choice. The Republican Party has lost the broad spectrum of conservative ideology that included Reagan, Jack Kemp, Howard Baker and Mitch McConnell. America needs two (at least!) high functioning political parties, each offering a spectrum of policy options for voters to have real choice. When a partisan Democrat friend of mine recently said with glee that the Republican Party was self-destructing and would soon "cease to exist" I reminded him he may want to think about the consequences of one party rule. Theelectorate is angry and disillusioned with the political process and in the history of the 20th century one sees that all totalitarian regimes sprang from "progressive", liberal parties.
2
Carol
Chicago,IL
Actually, no totalitarian regimes ever sprang from progressive liberal parties and your Stalinist like re-invention of history is an insult to the courage of the liberal progressives who were usually the last people to defend freedom and democracy. The Social Democrats who voted against Hitler's Enabling Act at the risk of their lives for example. In fact most totalitarian dictatorships are the product of a collapse of social order because of extraneous events. Russian Bolshevism, Italian facism, and German Nazism were consequences of WW 1 and its aftermath not liberal progressive parties.
Chicago,IL
Actually, no totalitarian regimes ever sprang from progressive liberal parties and your Stalinist like re-invention of history is an insult to the courage of the liberal progressives who were usually the last people to defend freedom and democracy. The Social Democrats who voted against Hitler's Enabling Act at the risk of their lives for example. In fact most totalitarian dictatorships are the product of a collapse of social order because of extraneous events. Russian Bolshevism, Italian facism, and German Nazism were consequences of WW 1 and its aftermath not liberal progressive parties.
3
The Nazis were a reaction against liberal progressivism; they didn't evolve from it were dead-set opposed to it.
No, the left is not the same at the right...the left would like to conserve the Social Safety Net for those who don't have enough to survive, including millions of children and the elderly. The left would like to continue programs that offer some hope for those who live in poverty and can not even get medical attention or a decent wage for labor intensive jobs, or even a decent education. The left would rather preserve the environment, wild lands, coastal waters, etc., while the right believes in preserving nothing except for their ability to make millions of dollars tax free, without any belief that they owe anything to society. The right still believes in voodoo trickle down economics that have been proven false. The right believes in wasting and exhausting our natural resources while the left believes in slowing down, promoting research and innovation, before we reach a tipping point.
I could go on and on, and on, providing example after example.
Totalitarian regimes you allude to are not the same as what would happen if Congress and the White House are controlled by the same party, which has happened many times in our short history. There has always been a minority party in opposition, and they can be effective.There is still a separation of Powers. The Press is still free in this country. Apathetic uniformed voters, that is the real threat to our democracy.
I could go on and on, and on, providing example after example.
Totalitarian regimes you allude to are not the same as what would happen if Congress and the White House are controlled by the same party, which has happened many times in our short history. There has always been a minority party in opposition, and they can be effective.There is still a separation of Powers. The Press is still free in this country. Apathetic uniformed voters, that is the real threat to our democracy.
1
The tragedy behind the state of American politics is, quite simply, that the American voting public is no longer interested in participating in their democratic republic in a meaningful way. This leaves the plutocrats in a position to simply buy politicians, apparently up to and including presidents.
The ancient Romans had their bread and circuses; we have take-out and American Ninja Warrior. Rome succumbed to "barbarian" invasions; we are being taken down by foreign investment groups that are literally buying our country out from under us.
The ancient Romans had their bread and circuses; we have take-out and American Ninja Warrior. Rome succumbed to "barbarian" invasions; we are being taken down by foreign investment groups that are literally buying our country out from under us.
8
Don't forget football.
2
I agree with the commentator below that we should be thinking very very carefully about the trend towards xenophobia, a major party whose allegiance to truth is at best shaky, and an atmosphere of rabble-rousing. Historically, this leads towards an atmosphere in which the events in Germany in the nineteen-thirties do not seem too remote. It is always, always a mistake to think it can't happen here. These are extremely disturbing times. The GOP debates are more than a sideshow, they are an indication of darker evils afoot. On Boehner--Krugman has been assiduous in pointing out over the last few weeks that it doesn't take much to look sane in the current atmosphere (Fiorina? Are passable manners now all we look for in a candidate, never mind if she's a liar?). It is almost funny that Bohener looks to some far right conservative as if he moved to the center of the road: the center depends, of course, on how far you have gone in either direction--he looks middle of the road because the boundaries have been taken (what boundaries, actually?) so far to the right.
9
Trashing the Keynesian approach to macroeconomics has just been collateral damage by a Republican Party that relied upon Karl Rove for strategy and fund raising, which they allowed to run amok.
The Party unleashed zealots when using trickery to win presidential elections - using Willie Horton to undo Dukakis, Swift Boating Kerry, the Florida "recount" and Supreme Court intervention to take the election from Gore. Rove knew that he and his strategy were in trouble when he couldn't unseat Obama in 2012 (remember his fit when even Fox declared that Obama had won?) and mostly zealots beat his candidates in 2014 (remember how invisible he was after a "Republican" sweep?)
But the zealots have done as zealots generally do - march around waving banners, shouting loudly and frequently shooting themselves in the foot as they become frustrated because they can't even slay imaginary dragons
We probably will have to live through another dragon slaying effort or two. But not likely many more. They have alienated women, African Americans, Hispanics, Gays, environmentalists, folks concerned about climate change and now much of the business community. They pretend to be Christians, but the Christian in charge just left our shores after showing us what real Christianity stands for. So, they're running on empty
The remaining Republicans should stay home in 2016 and let Democrats & Independents consign the zealots to the dark corners of the country. Peace on Earth & goodwill toward all!
The Party unleashed zealots when using trickery to win presidential elections - using Willie Horton to undo Dukakis, Swift Boating Kerry, the Florida "recount" and Supreme Court intervention to take the election from Gore. Rove knew that he and his strategy were in trouble when he couldn't unseat Obama in 2012 (remember his fit when even Fox declared that Obama had won?) and mostly zealots beat his candidates in 2014 (remember how invisible he was after a "Republican" sweep?)
But the zealots have done as zealots generally do - march around waving banners, shouting loudly and frequently shooting themselves in the foot as they become frustrated because they can't even slay imaginary dragons
We probably will have to live through another dragon slaying effort or two. But not likely many more. They have alienated women, African Americans, Hispanics, Gays, environmentalists, folks concerned about climate change and now much of the business community. They pretend to be Christians, but the Christian in charge just left our shores after showing us what real Christianity stands for. So, they're running on empty
The remaining Republicans should stay home in 2016 and let Democrats & Independents consign the zealots to the dark corners of the country. Peace on Earth & goodwill toward all!
37
The "dual mandate" thrust onto the Federal Reserve Bank by a Congress abrogating fiscal policy killed traditional banking in the US.
Actually we do know for sure because no less a person than the Republican leader in the senate told us. It was deliberate sabotage, like most if not all of their economic obstruction since. Krugman is right to dispel the media myth that's circulating that Boehner was some sort of quasi moderate realist. He was nothing of the sort. He was just as crazy as the rest of them but came up against reality, lost and got fed up with dealing with his crazy caucus. Now he'll head off into some nice gig that pays around half a million a year like his fellow nihilist Cantor and leaves a huge mess behind him that represents the negation of his leadership. A huge unfinished agenda, a chaotic and minimally responsible party, and a short term fix on government funding that expires in the middle of Christmas season.
38
Don't forget to mention us. We knew perfectly well what the Republicans were doing, and re-elected them over and over. They are now running the House, the Senate, the Supreme Court, and most of the state governments. They came very close to winning the Presidency the last two times, despite fielding ludicrous candidates. When pundits contemplate a Democratic comeback sometime in the distant future, it usually happens because enough foreigners have moved into the country that the proportion of voters from the current electorate has fallen. The Republicans are not some alien force. They are us.
15
"We knew perfectly well what the Republicans were doing, and re-elected them over and over. [...] The Republicans are not some alien force. They are us."
I'm sorry, but that is simply false. Representatives and Senators are elected on district- and state-wide bases, not nationwide. Those of us outside the geography of Republican congressional dominance are not responsible for it; we are merely its victims.
I'm sorry, but that is simply false. Representatives and Senators are elected on district- and state-wide bases, not nationwide. Those of us outside the geography of Republican congressional dominance are not responsible for it; we are merely its victims.
7
It really doesn't matter if one lives here in Kansas.
Just like Molly Ivins said, these folks are going to have to be like the 'possum eating the dead skunk, stops and says "folks, I've had about as much of this enjoyment as I can stand"!
Just like Molly Ivins said, these folks are going to have to be like the 'possum eating the dead skunk, stops and says "folks, I've had about as much of this enjoyment as I can stand"!
Those in Congress who would reduce, diminish, belittle and ultimately shut down the U.S. government should be called what they are: enemies of the state. They should be called on their patriotism,or lack thereof, as they attack the ability of our country to defend against almost every threat we face, plan rationally for its future and otherwise conduct itself as a nation. The other enemies of the U.S. -- and yes, we have them-- must be thrilled to have such a capable group of allies working from within.
But even if they have gerrymandered their way into their current position of power, their political power must be respected. They cannot be wished away just by calling them names. So a serious effort must be made to recapture their supporters for the side of reason and civility. Their delusions and deceptions must be laid bare to their voters. That calls for political leadership, a scarce commodity nowadays.
But even if they have gerrymandered their way into their current position of power, their political power must be respected. They cannot be wished away just by calling them names. So a serious effort must be made to recapture their supporters for the side of reason and civility. Their delusions and deceptions must be laid bare to their voters. That calls for political leadership, a scarce commodity nowadays.
16
I agree with Dr.K. As Mr. Boehner was he was sane. He understood that the growing radicalization of his party which was demanding things that they could never achieve and oblivious to the damage they caused. While to Boehner everything was Omama’s fault and misguided as to the function of government, he was at least sane and understood that as Speaker he was holding a wolf by the ears which could turn on him at any moment.
The Republican party has gone mad but the polls show that a sizeable slice of the population has joined them. Has our democracy been so corrupted that we cannot pass what has become the equivalent of a painful gallstone. In the 2012 election the Republican party kept a wide majority in the House even though more Americans voted for Democratic candidates that Republican ones.
Recent national polling suggests that Carley Fiorena or Ben Carson would beat Hillary Clinton. These 2 Republicans are in la la land and we are in danger of being shocked at the results of the 2016 election when the the thought of a Republican in the White House should be laughable.
Why aren’t the congressional wingnuts who are putting politics over country being swamped by calls and protests from their constituents? Is it because they agree or because these voters have given up and know that what they want does't matter because their seat has been safely rigged? The Republican party is crazy and an outlier, worse it is an internal enemy of this country and our way of life.
The Republican party has gone mad but the polls show that a sizeable slice of the population has joined them. Has our democracy been so corrupted that we cannot pass what has become the equivalent of a painful gallstone. In the 2012 election the Republican party kept a wide majority in the House even though more Americans voted for Democratic candidates that Republican ones.
Recent national polling suggests that Carley Fiorena or Ben Carson would beat Hillary Clinton. These 2 Republicans are in la la land and we are in danger of being shocked at the results of the 2016 election when the the thought of a Republican in the White House should be laughable.
Why aren’t the congressional wingnuts who are putting politics over country being swamped by calls and protests from their constituents? Is it because they agree or because these voters have given up and know that what they want does't matter because their seat has been safely rigged? The Republican party is crazy and an outlier, worse it is an internal enemy of this country and our way of life.
18
Boehner was a weak tool in a weak party's toolbox. They tried to destroy the country so it would look bad for Obama. They will continue with this goal until we can wipe out all of the right wing nutcases that control the party. I will never understand how anybody can vote republican, yet they have gerrymandered the house districts so that there is no other way the outcome of the elections will be until 2020 when districts can be re-assigned. The only people the republican party has helped in the last 3 decades have been angry white men, gun nuts, the rich, the military industrial complex and the religious nuts who believe that the republican party can turn back the clock to the 1800's.
33
Perfectly stated. And I will add this: for all these people have done and tried to do these last 8 years...indeed during the 8 years of the previous Democratic President -- they should be tried for treason.
In another time they would have been drawn and quartered.
In another time they would have been drawn and quartered.
2
These people WHO DRIVE the Republican agenda aren't Conservatives. They are cranks. They want to shut down the government at a very dangerous time.
The Fed seems to have finally recognized that the Greenspans Put, followed up by an even more perverse version of that market levitation by Bernanke, has dangerously warped the world economy. There was in fact nothing normal about the "new normal" of asset inflation, and the massive wealth consolidation that it facilitated.
Fundamentals have caught up to the serial manipulations of the ZIRP supercharged by quantitative easing. The fall of the emerging markets has killed the insanely lucrative carry trade, and mergers and acquisitions can do nothing to fuel economic growth. To resist the current convergence to zero with two trillion dollars in excess reserves created by QE in the face of massive hoarding by corporations, with reduced consumer demand world wide, without triggering a depression will be hard enough. The Congressional coup by lunatic religious elements which thrive at the core of our society could sink the economy altogether.
Until we recognize that America and the West are firmly in the grip of Oligarchic Democracy, and revisit through a Constitutional Amendment the perverse idea that Corporations are Citizens, and money is their expression of free speech, serfdom has become increasingly likely. Oligarchs are driving the crazies of the right and not Conservatives, and Oligarchs have no problem with neofeudal forms.
The Fed seems to have finally recognized that the Greenspans Put, followed up by an even more perverse version of that market levitation by Bernanke, has dangerously warped the world economy. There was in fact nothing normal about the "new normal" of asset inflation, and the massive wealth consolidation that it facilitated.
Fundamentals have caught up to the serial manipulations of the ZIRP supercharged by quantitative easing. The fall of the emerging markets has killed the insanely lucrative carry trade, and mergers and acquisitions can do nothing to fuel economic growth. To resist the current convergence to zero with two trillion dollars in excess reserves created by QE in the face of massive hoarding by corporations, with reduced consumer demand world wide, without triggering a depression will be hard enough. The Congressional coup by lunatic religious elements which thrive at the core of our society could sink the economy altogether.
Until we recognize that America and the West are firmly in the grip of Oligarchic Democracy, and revisit through a Constitutional Amendment the perverse idea that Corporations are Citizens, and money is their expression of free speech, serfdom has become increasingly likely. Oligarchs are driving the crazies of the right and not Conservatives, and Oligarchs have no problem with neofeudal forms.
11
Obstructionism failed? Really? Not by the Republicans' standards.
It succeeded enough to stoke the ire of the GOP's angry constituency (the tail that wags the Republican dog) which showed up at the polls in 2014 while many other voters stayed home. The GOP does not believe in government except as a means to its own power. That the Republicans could realistically win all three Houses (Representative, Senate and White) in 2016 means that their obstructionism could remain unpunished by the voters. Hardly a failure.
It succeeded enough to stoke the ire of the GOP's angry constituency (the tail that wags the Republican dog) which showed up at the polls in 2014 while many other voters stayed home. The GOP does not believe in government except as a means to its own power. That the Republicans could realistically win all three Houses (Representative, Senate and White) in 2016 means that their obstructionism could remain unpunished by the voters. Hardly a failure.
9
Where we have gone wrong is not only in insufficient spending - the tight-belt approach, the economic equivalent of 'the beatings will continue until morale improves' - byt in not crafting some approach to prevent jobs from migrating overseas, being replaced by robots, or given to illegal (yes, that is the word) immigrants who undermine everything the unions fought and in some cases died for (Joe Hill is not just Stephen King's talented kid; in fact, check out the man for whom he was named). Neither party has addressed this issue at all (nor has Prof Krugman, in fact), and both are at fault for that. Not everyone is college and white-collar skilled professional material; our greatest prosperity was when we were willing to say 'the labourer is worthy of his hire' regardless of whether the job required brawn, brain, bravery, or simply a high tolerance for monotony.
3
What drives a "moderate Republican" like John Boehner to act like he does? He has, at every turn, acted in the best interests of the GOP, and not those of most US citizens. It's quite a razor's edge that he walks, obstructing Obama and Democratic values at every possible run, while maintaining the semblance of governance. His "unselfish act" of resignation is simply one aimed at delaying the GOP lurch into irrationality, and he will undoubtedly be rewarded with a seven figure salary in his new job as a lobbyist.
Perhaps the biggest challenge to the GOP is whether it can actually govern when it does not control the executive branch. PK hints at a likely truth-- if a Republican was in the White House, Congress would probably have gone all out on economic stimulus as a way to expand its demographic support. While obstructing Obama's success as much as possible, however, the GOP has wounded itself badly, empowering congressional extremists and providing platforms for irrational and frightening presidential candidates. As their "base" of billionaires and low-information angry white males ebbs into a smaller minority group, the GOP is torn asunder by loyalists who want it to remain relevant. The demise of the GOP as we knew it is done, and the demise of what it has become is inevitable. I pray that the Red state citizens let the blood quickly, rather than this "drip, drip, drip."
Perhaps the biggest challenge to the GOP is whether it can actually govern when it does not control the executive branch. PK hints at a likely truth-- if a Republican was in the White House, Congress would probably have gone all out on economic stimulus as a way to expand its demographic support. While obstructing Obama's success as much as possible, however, the GOP has wounded itself badly, empowering congressional extremists and providing platforms for irrational and frightening presidential candidates. As their "base" of billionaires and low-information angry white males ebbs into a smaller minority group, the GOP is torn asunder by loyalists who want it to remain relevant. The demise of the GOP as we knew it is done, and the demise of what it has become is inevitable. I pray that the Red state citizens let the blood quickly, rather than this "drip, drip, drip."
6
As demonstrated in Europe circa 1933, whole countries can go mad, and that includes rejecting whole swaths of science (but not engineering) in favor of mythology. And since mythology can invent anything, there are no limits to that sort of social madness.
16
When I was in high school and college in the 80s the essence of American Exceptionalism as it was explained to me was that the Congress could shut down the government if some faction didn't get what it wanted but they always worked something out and kept moving forward. Partly that was explained as the two parties not being meaningfully different from each other. The other part was luck. I guess our luck has run out. Oh yes, the other piece of luck through the 20th century was evangelicals' rendering unto Caesar that which was Caesar's. But now they want to give Caesar what is their version of God's, in conflict with our nation's founding tenets. Craziness.
7
For a long time, right wing extremists have been screaming about the need to take their country back. Although I am not sure what they mean by that exactly (since the last time I looked they still had their country), I think it is important that all rational people publicly affirm and work for the issues in which they believe. Example: tomorrow is National "Pink Out" Day to stand up for Planned Parenthood with events planned around the country. See www.istandwithpp.org. Take the time to get involved in that or whatever issue you care about, volunteer for a campaign, or become a poll worker or poll observer in the next election. The right wing minority has been vocal and demanding for years while too many of the rest of us thought we could simply go about our business and just vote and write the occasional email to our representatives. It is time to make sure that political leaders hear loudly and clearly voices other than the Tea Party.
9
The Republicans are the ones who subvert the system, with congress refusing to fund the programs that it has enacted sheerly as a form of blackmail. But my question is why President Milquetoast never takes any legal or even serious rhetorical action against them. My biggest fear is that he will yet again use "negotiations" as a way to pursue cuts in Social Security & Medicare, and that this time he will succeed.
3
It is going to take 30 to 50 years for America to pass this obstruction, as the nation becomes more diverse and the ultra-conservative, nativist wing of the Republican Party passes from the scene as the result of sheer demographic reality (see, recent comments of Pope Francis). The question is, do we survive the illness for another generation?
13
Yes, and about two years after that in 2011, President Barack Obama said in a speech:
"Small businesses and families are tightening their belts. Their government should, too."
Obama followed this by announcing a two-year federal pay and hiring freeze, in other words, a harsh austerity measure that would drain money out of workers' pockets and out of the economy, when the recovery was barely underway and it was the opposite of what we needed.
I don't disagree with anything you've written here about John Boehner, but it took two to tango in this case. Obama has altered course during his second term to be sure, but his entire first four year term in office he not only surrendered the fight against the extremists in the Republican Party, he was often catapulting their propaganda for them.
In the UK, the Labour Party has been following a similar path as Obama's first term, trying to compete with the Tories by agreeing with them that Labour caused the financial crisis by overspending and taxing too much. As the astute Atrios pointed out, "Someone should tell Labour that when you give voters a choice between the Tories and the Tories, they'll vote for the Tories every time."
Similarly, when you give US voters a choice between Republican austerity policies and Republican austerity policies, they'll go with Republican austerity policies every time. Who can expect voters to reject austerity as Republican extremism when they hear the President selling it also?
"Small businesses and families are tightening their belts. Their government should, too."
Obama followed this by announcing a two-year federal pay and hiring freeze, in other words, a harsh austerity measure that would drain money out of workers' pockets and out of the economy, when the recovery was barely underway and it was the opposite of what we needed.
I don't disagree with anything you've written here about John Boehner, but it took two to tango in this case. Obama has altered course during his second term to be sure, but his entire first four year term in office he not only surrendered the fight against the extremists in the Republican Party, he was often catapulting their propaganda for them.
In the UK, the Labour Party has been following a similar path as Obama's first term, trying to compete with the Tories by agreeing with them that Labour caused the financial crisis by overspending and taxing too much. As the astute Atrios pointed out, "Someone should tell Labour that when you give voters a choice between the Tories and the Tories, they'll vote for the Tories every time."
Similarly, when you give US voters a choice between Republican austerity policies and Republican austerity policies, they'll go with Republican austerity policies every time. Who can expect voters to reject austerity as Republican extremism when they hear the President selling it also?
7
Cultural memory runs deep. Long simmering anger about the downfall of Nixon led to the almost immediate calls that Clinton be impeached, whose presidency was deemed "illegitimate" almost from day one, due to the curious Perot campaign, which arguable did split the votes that could have gone to Bush Sr.
Angry at having lost to Bubba, which Chris Rock called our first Black president, they eventually did get around to impeachment, and Clinton's popularity only increased, so ludicrous was the attempt. Anger increased.
Then Bush Jr. won, and hopes soared, finally a restoration of the true heir of Reagan! The result was the first decade of the 21st century -- dreary, filled with war and failed policies, and the loss of a major US city to a natural disaster that could have been prevented.
And then, with popularity in the low 20's and the Reagan revolution in tatters, Republicans lost to a man named Obama. The horror!
The Republicans have been chasing the fantasy that they had found the keys to undoing the Democrats' work of the 20th century. But time and again they were thwarted or rejected by the people.
The last 7 years have just been one long tantrum at this long frustration they can't seem to get over. And who really suffers? The US people, who have been stagnant in wages and spirit as one of our two political parties as sulked and lashed out, for my entire adult life.
Angry at having lost to Bubba, which Chris Rock called our first Black president, they eventually did get around to impeachment, and Clinton's popularity only increased, so ludicrous was the attempt. Anger increased.
Then Bush Jr. won, and hopes soared, finally a restoration of the true heir of Reagan! The result was the first decade of the 21st century -- dreary, filled with war and failed policies, and the loss of a major US city to a natural disaster that could have been prevented.
And then, with popularity in the low 20's and the Reagan revolution in tatters, Republicans lost to a man named Obama. The horror!
The Republicans have been chasing the fantasy that they had found the keys to undoing the Democrats' work of the 20th century. But time and again they were thwarted or rejected by the people.
The last 7 years have just been one long tantrum at this long frustration they can't seem to get over. And who really suffers? The US people, who have been stagnant in wages and spirit as one of our two political parties as sulked and lashed out, for my entire adult life.
8
I and my friends agreed when Obama was elected that it would take more than 8 years to remedy the effects of the calamitous presidency of George W. Bush, but we didn't factor in Republican opposition to all the needed reforms that has occurred during Obama's presidency. Still, Obama managed to get the Republican-hobbled ACA passed and to improve the economy slowly, among other positive things. As to the last remark in the column that "we must learn to live with a G.O.P. gone mad," I heartily disagree! We need to oppose and defeat them, not live with them, if we want to avert further disaster in the next election and beyond.
8
The GOP extremists are practicing a type of political and economic Terrorism. And the party as a whole is simply capitulating to the crazies, the criminals, and the cranky.
Self-deportation actually sounds very inviting - if only I had somewhere to deport to.
Really, by any measure this country is falling behind: education, healthcare, lifespan, etc.
I would love to live in a country where guns were regulated, where government worked for the good of all, where healthcare meant care of health and not insurers, where politicians worked together, where teachers were respected, where workers had rights, where prisons were not for-profit, where equality and civility were practiced.
How long before many of us seek refugee status in Canada?
Self-deportation actually sounds very inviting - if only I had somewhere to deport to.
Really, by any measure this country is falling behind: education, healthcare, lifespan, etc.
I would love to live in a country where guns were regulated, where government worked for the good of all, where healthcare meant care of health and not insurers, where politicians worked together, where teachers were respected, where workers had rights, where prisons were not for-profit, where equality and civility were practiced.
How long before many of us seek refugee status in Canada?
19
I hope the GOP/T lose badly in Nov. 2016. The Trump show will help with that, but I fear the House will still have a GOP/T majority. A realignment of the parties is the only solution. But the gerrymandering will stop this. This hope may appear in Dec. 2016. On
3
I wonder how much Mr. Boehner's meeting with the Pope had on his decision. Was it the last nail in the coffin? Did it help him realize what he and his party had wrought? Did it show him what a future is wrought by hatred, selfishness, self-righteousness, greed, and anger which seems to be the basis of this GOP. Did he point out the heresy of the Prosperity Doctrine followed by so many Right wing churches? Whatever happened I believe Mr. Boehner wanted good for this country and has only seen strife. Perhaps the clouds were lifted from his eyes and he saw the evil that has produced by the division of the country. We can only hope.
3
I will bet the farm that John Boehner is leaving Congress worth much more than when he started, and that's all that counts for these guys. And no doubt he can become a lobbyist or join a "think tank" while drawing his cushy pension paid by the taxpayers. I wouldn't waste any tears on him.
5
I believe Boehner was not acting on political principle with his brinksmanship… rather he was attempting to hold onto his leadership position at all costs. He certainly knows how to count noses and my sense is he saw that his days were numbered and didn't want to be a party to the train wreck that looms on the horizon. The legislators chosen by the Grover Nordquist/Koch Brothers wing are now in full control and the voters may get a whiff of what lies ahead if a "the best Republican money can buy" is elected President.
3
If you remember correctly (and I'm almost sure you do), I was one of those know-nothings that did not understand the workings of an economy, but I never dreamed those in Washington did not understand. I imagined they used the people's stupidity to get elected, and then ignored them once in Washington. Boehner knew how it worked -- he couldn't have missed the words of Dick Cheney (what others have noted), "deficits don't matter." If what people are saying is true, I would have thought he would have stood up to his party? Would have stayed and fought for the people? And, I'm sorry, but the Pope's actions are more in line with defunding Planned Parenthood. (Tell Ross, it's not Springtime here.) The way I see it, Planned Parenthood is about to go bye-bye, or our government.
My only hope is that the country wakes from this nightmare and votes the right-wing out next November.
5
Yes, "just when you think it can't get any worse, it does" seems to be the message of the fanatical inmates in the asylum that used to be a major legislative body representing all the people and working for, as Pope Francis told them, the "pursuit of the common good." Instead, Speaker Boehner's exit represents the failed marriage of the traditional Republican Party and the Tea Party of scorched-earth obstructionists who have staged a successful coup. Speaker Boehner may have been an ultra-conservative, but he still believed in legislating. His failure was he did not have the strength to ever control this "maverick" wing of anti-government radicals. So, it will get worse and will only get better when the processes that created this cancer on democracy--gerrymandering, voter ID restrictions, and money--are removed. As of now, unfortunately, the words of the Republican Party's first President, Abraham Lincoln borrowed from Jesus, couldn't ring more true, "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
6
While from a technical, rather than a political POV, Boehner was still the worst Speaker since Tom Foley, this is a guy who was a key part of Gingrich's first revolt against rational cooperative Republicanism, part of the team that paved the way to the Tea Party. So calling Boehner a "moderate" in any way is simply not accurate. He was a radical reactionary and still is. However the so-called center has shifted so far right, that the Gohmerts and Steve Kings claim Boehner is a moderate and even a RINO.
But, in many still-sane Republicans' defense, even Boehner's, there is the constant terror of the "Bob Bennett Syndrome" where an otherwise popular Conservative politician faces a well-funded and determined attack in his own party's primary. Because of that, the irresponsible fanatic Mike Lee (a quiet version of Ted Cruz) now holds that Utah seat. That factor MUST be added to the current assessment of Boehner's legacy, and what his successor must confront.
Still, there's hope that in his last month, with nothing to fear, Boehner may use the power of the Speaker, to actually get some things done that his successor cannot or will not.
But, in many still-sane Republicans' defense, even Boehner's, there is the constant terror of the "Bob Bennett Syndrome" where an otherwise popular Conservative politician faces a well-funded and determined attack in his own party's primary. Because of that, the irresponsible fanatic Mike Lee (a quiet version of Ted Cruz) now holds that Utah seat. That factor MUST be added to the current assessment of Boehner's legacy, and what his successor must confront.
Still, there's hope that in his last month, with nothing to fear, Boehner may use the power of the Speaker, to actually get some things done that his successor cannot or will not.
3
Mr. Boehner has said that as a parting gesture to the rabid right, he will establish a committee to investigate Planned Parenthood. Will he establish a committee to investigate the blindly obstructionist, possibly seditious, members of his House of Representatives who have inflicted real damage on the nation?
8
"The Boehner era has been one in which Republicans have accepted no responsibility for helping to govern the country, in which they have opposed anything and everything the president proposes."
Nailed it with that comment and the one that Boehner was a terrible, very bad and no good speaker of the House.
Good riddance to bad rubbish -- too bad he can't take the rest of the GOP trash in House with him.
Nailed it with that comment and the one that Boehner was a terrible, very bad and no good speaker of the House.
Good riddance to bad rubbish -- too bad he can't take the rest of the GOP trash in House with him.
6
The irony is now Boehner is warning about "false prophets!"
I think it's pretty obvious that the GOP really doesn't have the Country's best interests in mind when it sets its agenda. From the day Obama was elected their clearly proclaimed goal was "to make Obama fail," and if you're interested in making the POTUS fail, you're desire is for the Country to fail.
First the GOP failed in their stated goal to make Obama a one-term POTUS, then they failed to make any substantial dents in the Affordable Care Act, despite umpteen recall votes in the House. The only thing the GOP has succeeded in doing is transforming Congress into a dysfunctional quagmire. Aside from opposing anything on Obama's agenda their only other interest was beating that dead horse named Benghazi hoping to damage Hillary Clinton to ensure they gain the White House in 2016.
The GOP is the party of No ideas, no vision and no accomplishments, including their failure to make Obama fail. My fear is that they seem to be succeeding in their effort against Clinton and the complacency created by "waiting for Hillary" has left a vacuum should she implode. I just hope that enough mauling goes on in the GOP clown bus that they can't produce a viable candidate, and that the next Speaker truly exposes the ugly underbelly of today's GOP, diminishing whatever appeal they have beyond their rabid base.
I think it's pretty obvious that the GOP really doesn't have the Country's best interests in mind when it sets its agenda. From the day Obama was elected their clearly proclaimed goal was "to make Obama fail," and if you're interested in making the POTUS fail, you're desire is for the Country to fail.
First the GOP failed in their stated goal to make Obama a one-term POTUS, then they failed to make any substantial dents in the Affordable Care Act, despite umpteen recall votes in the House. The only thing the GOP has succeeded in doing is transforming Congress into a dysfunctional quagmire. Aside from opposing anything on Obama's agenda their only other interest was beating that dead horse named Benghazi hoping to damage Hillary Clinton to ensure they gain the White House in 2016.
The GOP is the party of No ideas, no vision and no accomplishments, including their failure to make Obama fail. My fear is that they seem to be succeeding in their effort against Clinton and the complacency created by "waiting for Hillary" has left a vacuum should she implode. I just hope that enough mauling goes on in the GOP clown bus that they can't produce a viable candidate, and that the next Speaker truly exposes the ugly underbelly of today's GOP, diminishing whatever appeal they have beyond their rabid base.
9
There is a word that describes those rightwing extremists who would do anything/everything to retain/regain power--including deliberate economic sabotage. it's not a very nice word, and it sure is not "patriot."
9
Well done, Dr. Krugman. We knew we could count on some honesty from you after all the back-slapping that went on last weekend for Boehner. He was no speaker of the house in any sense, only of his party and not even that for most of his tenure. And yet, now it's like he's a hero for stepping aside a month before his planned escape. So what? Let him be a real hero and put some legislation on the floor in the month he has as a lame duck. Then we'll have some respect for the man. Otherwise, most knowledgeable citizens will remember him as the blubbering fool who couldn't keep from crying like a baby at the drop of a hat. If Nancy Pelosi had cried like that in public, I believe there wouldn't have been any kidding around about it, just calls that she was unfit to lead and to be two steps from the presidency.
8
Real Clear Politics polls on average show that only 26% of the people think the country is going in the right direction. Obama is directing the country in case you were wondering. He does what he wants regardless of whether anyone other than himself thinks it is the correct thing and good for our country in case you haven't noticed that either.
The mistake we make in assessing the actions of the congressional GOP is that we cast blame on that bunch of radical right wing loonies, as if they are the party. The real fault lies in the laps of a party leadership that allows these clowns a voice, and acceptance into what was once a centrist, conservative party. The same may be said for the current cast of candidates who grace our airwaves. Why, for heaven's sake, is Donald Trump allowed entry in to the GOP race? I won't go into the rest of the crowd, but someone, somewhere in the party leadership needs to get control. A political party that promotes anarchy, disavows science, promotes libelous rumors against our president, and seeks the dissolution of much of our government should not be a force in our politics. They sound to me like Bolsheviks.
9
The GOP is built on the scorched and shaky foundations of the old Confederacy. It would rather see the country split asunder than compromise. It's doomed to fail, but not before inflicting many casualties on this nation.
8
I will always say it was the Country's biggest mistake in restoring full voting Rights to the States of the former Confederacy because they did form another Country when they refused to be bound by the laws of the United States. These are the same people who want to "restore" America to a state of existence it never occupied except in their warped sense of reality.
1
I still think that labeling these extremists as crazy or delusional misses the point. The Republican party is feeding on fear.
675
Fear of what? That the world will find out that Obama is smart and right on the issues? That government can and actually does work? That our society can't just be for and about white men and the 0.1%?
And the fear is being stoked, manipulated, and praised as patriotism. Sounds like Germany in 30's to me.
1
While they keep creating new fears.
It may be time that the GOP cut the far right faction of the party loose. What the GOP is suffering from is the tyranny of the minority. Yes they will be in the political wilderness for a while, but they do still have a very solid base of sane Republicans from which to rebuild. As with any extremists, sooner or later they "flame out", they do cause a great deal of destruction on the way out, but it is the price that Republicans have to pay in order to have their party back; unfortunately, they're also going to cause, and are causing, America a great deal of damage on the way out.
403
I agree. I'm a registered Republican who last voted that way in 1988. I'd consider coming back to smaller, saner GOP that was interested in governance.
1
The moderate Republicans should start working with Democrats. Many of whom, as has been noted in these comments often, are almost old style moderate Republicans. Moderate Republicans are not going to accomplish anything with the crazies, that has already been proven over the last two years. This would marginalize the far right. Forget party loyalties. They have, and besides you swear an oath to the country, not the party. Swearing to the party sounds very much like Nazis or Communists. The far right could scream and throw tantrums but it would limit their power.
1
The tail is wagging the dog.
1
Krugman: "The Boehner era has been one in which Republicans have accepted no responsibility for helping to govern the country, in which they have opposed anything and everything the president proposes."
If any group in need of being reminded of the "Golden Rule" (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.), it was the Republicans in Congress. They expect everyone else to act with responsibility and not be on the government dole except themselves.
If any group in need of being reminded of the "Golden Rule" (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.), it was the Republicans in Congress. They expect everyone else to act with responsibility and not be on the government dole except themselves.
7
" Was [Speaker Boehner] just against anything Mr. Obama was for? Or was he engaged in deliberate sabotage, trying to block measures that would help the economy because a bad economy would be good for Republican electoral prospects?"
Both, because they were bookends of what in fact was the same complimentary, two-pronged. GOP strategy: gain a majority in both houses and make sure Obama fails to get a second term. On the eve of the mid-term elections back in 2010, the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell, stated that the single most important thing was to make sure Barack Obama was a one-term president.
They eventually achieved half their goals. The Republicans have gained sufficient majorities in both houses to assure that nothing of any real substance ever gets done. Meanwhile, they stoke that angry, frustrated sector of the electorate who are baited by issues that have nothing to do with the economy--gay marriage, abortion, "religious freedom--" that give the conservatives an edge in congressional elections. These are the same people who want to take back "their" country, because anyone who disagrees with them lacks any standing of ownership.
Both, because they were bookends of what in fact was the same complimentary, two-pronged. GOP strategy: gain a majority in both houses and make sure Obama fails to get a second term. On the eve of the mid-term elections back in 2010, the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell, stated that the single most important thing was to make sure Barack Obama was a one-term president.
They eventually achieved half their goals. The Republicans have gained sufficient majorities in both houses to assure that nothing of any real substance ever gets done. Meanwhile, they stoke that angry, frustrated sector of the electorate who are baited by issues that have nothing to do with the economy--gay marriage, abortion, "religious freedom--" that give the conservatives an edge in congressional elections. These are the same people who want to take back "their" country, because anyone who disagrees with them lacks any standing of ownership.
9
I think Dr. Krugman is exactly right about everything except for one thing. It's not the Republican Party who's to blame for this, it's the (really) big money that owns the Republican Party and manages their agenda. The Republican Party is simply the tool being used to dismantle what used to be government of, by and for the people. All that's left is for historians to figure out when exactly it perished from the Earth.
5
I have a hope that the Republican Party will split up, that some large factions will evolve into irrelevant third parties. Just a hope.
If that does not happen, maybe the offspring of Republicans, being less mad, will see their parents as the demented persons they are, as "freak" tards, as Selena would say. Then, the G.O.P. could just go back to being the tame minority party of pro-business interests.
If that does not happen, maybe the offspring of Republicans, being less mad, will see their parents as the demented persons they are, as "freak" tards, as Selena would say. Then, the G.O.P. could just go back to being the tame minority party of pro-business interests.
3
There isn't any "America" anymore, Thank Reagan for that. We now have Us vs. Them. Boehner worked for the 1% and they have been doing great. So for the 1%, Boehner was a Great Speaker.
The real questions are: How much will he be getting for his speeches and will he cry when they give him the check?
The real questions are: How much will he be getting for his speeches and will he cry when they give him the check?
2
The "disastrous recession" began far before GWB entered the White House. It began with the Democrat creation of the Fed in 1913. It got worse under Hoover, and still worse under FDR with the creation of Fannie Mae and hundreds of other spendthrift agencies. Carter create the CRA. The Boston Fed produced a bogus report on "redlining" and the Clinton era enforced the bogus recommendations by putting teeth into the CRA. The Fed lowered interest rates because of the dot-com bubble burst, and then again with 9/11, which began the housing bubble - that Paul Krugman demanded.
Blaming the recession on GWB is pathetic. Krugman is as responsible for it as GWB.
Blaming the recession on GWB is pathetic. Krugman is as responsible for it as GWB.
The elementary fact remains that just like water runs downhill, the government must expand along with population growth to assure the continuation of vital services and guard against social chaos. It's so simple, even a Republican could get it, but do they? NO! Do you know why? Because their attempts at destroying the Government are not imaginary.
6
Surely confirmed what I had already said about Mr. Boehner's term. I do suspect that being a "good Catholic," his visit with the Pope may have influenced his realizing what a major part he had in creating this dysfunctional congress. The very leaders like him, & Mr. McConnell encouraging total obstruction for this President, lit the fire of those right wing radicals. They would rather "burn down the house" than do their constitutional job-- of compromise.
Yes, it probably is going to get much worse because the "Tiger is unleashed" & we have a dearth of Statesman. Just a lot of "Barn Burners".
Until & unless, we the voters fire these people, we will see outrageous discord & destruction.
Yes, it probably is going to get much worse because the "Tiger is unleashed" & we have a dearth of Statesman. Just a lot of "Barn Burners".
Until & unless, we the voters fire these people, we will see outrageous discord & destruction.
2
Would any other group in our society be tolerated for their openly stated desire and actions to stop the government from functioning, in doing so endangering the world economy and stability, to achieve an ideological victory by denying women health care?
When does this cross the line to sedition?
When does this cross the line to sedition?
8
There are essentially two kinds of humans: those who believe in enslaving other humans, and those who believe in freedom.
When those Americans who believe in slavery felt compelled to join in Nixon's racial-hatred "Southern-strategy," in order to keep their bigotry politically viable, they had no choice but to increase both their madness and belligerence, and take command of the Nixonian cabal -- they have no place else to go.
When those Americans who believe in slavery felt compelled to join in Nixon's racial-hatred "Southern-strategy," in order to keep their bigotry politically viable, they had no choice but to increase both their madness and belligerence, and take command of the Nixonian cabal -- they have no place else to go.
4
The next Speaker will do just as badly as Boehner because there is a core of people in the Republican caucus that are not Republicans. They are anarchists. In particular, they are anarcho-capitalists. But don't take my word for it, below is the definition of anarcho-capitalism.
"Anarcho-Capitalism: Anarcho-capitalism is a fringe political ideology that prioritizes the freedom of the individual from state coercion and advocates market-based solutions to all social needs."
As long as you have a core of people dedicated to the above ideals you will never get anything of substance done.
"Anarcho-Capitalism: Anarcho-capitalism is a fringe political ideology that prioritizes the freedom of the individual from state coercion and advocates market-based solutions to all social needs."
As long as you have a core of people dedicated to the above ideals you will never get anything of substance done.
4
@ Gene
Re: "Read what Paul writes. It is all the fault of the Republicans even though Obama has been in charge for 7 years and had control of both branches of congress when first elected."
Mind you, only two years. During those first two years of the Obama administration, they passed the $850 B stimulus, passed the affordable care act, passed the Dodd-Frank financial regulation bill, passed the Lily Ledbetter equal pay act, overturned 'Don't Ask Don't Tell', and passed a payroll tax holiday. Not a bad congressional record. Since 2010 the GOP-dominated House has done absolutely nothing except pass lots of anti-abortion measures. The 112th and 113th congress’s, that have endured unceasing obstruction led by Boehner in the House and McConnell in the Senate, are the most shameful, lowest rated and least effective in US history.
Re: "Read what Paul writes. It is all the fault of the Republicans even though Obama has been in charge for 7 years and had control of both branches of congress when first elected."
Mind you, only two years. During those first two years of the Obama administration, they passed the $850 B stimulus, passed the affordable care act, passed the Dodd-Frank financial regulation bill, passed the Lily Ledbetter equal pay act, overturned 'Don't Ask Don't Tell', and passed a payroll tax holiday. Not a bad congressional record. Since 2010 the GOP-dominated House has done absolutely nothing except pass lots of anti-abortion measures. The 112th and 113th congress’s, that have endured unceasing obstruction led by Boehner in the House and McConnell in the Senate, are the most shameful, lowest rated and least effective in US history.
17
And remember this: During those first two years a good portion was spent without a senator from Minnesota since there was a long recount. And then there was the death of Robert Kennedy. So the notion the the democrats had a super majority is a misnomer. PB
Re: "Republicans pursued an unprecedented strategy of scorched-earth obstructionism, which did immense damage to the economy and undermined America’s credibility around the world."
But the electorate keeps voting GOP against their own benefit. Alas, this is how democracy works in america where the people presumably know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard. Afterall the electorate put the GOP back into power in 2012, even though it meant continuing political scorched-earth shenanigans and reckless brinkmanship. And incredibly they did it again in the 2014 mid-terms. It's now looking very much like it´ll take a full blast return to debilitating GOP ideology to finally educate voters to the absurdity of what they are doing.
But the electorate keeps voting GOP against their own benefit. Alas, this is how democracy works in america where the people presumably know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard. Afterall the electorate put the GOP back into power in 2012, even though it meant continuing political scorched-earth shenanigans and reckless brinkmanship. And incredibly they did it again in the 2014 mid-terms. It's now looking very much like it´ll take a full blast return to debilitating GOP ideology to finally educate voters to the absurdity of what they are doing.
5
Unfortunate;y with this retirement there will be no R.I.P. as long as the present Republicans In Power remain in power; a state of affairs the American voter who remains on the couch during every election cycle will continue to decry as they sit watching the evening news while sinking deeper into the folds of their couch.
The only solution, if there is one to employ before it is too late, is for the actual silent majority to raise their voice at the voting booth: an unlikely scenario given our electoral history.
Our government, thanks to our ignorance and nothing else, is not ours.
I am in fact too old to be concerned for myself, but so long as we allow our own ignorance and avoidance to lead, I do think by default life will not be pleasant for for any, but the very few children who like all of us will, by no choice of their own, be born into wealth.
Although it is, life should not remain a crapshoot, let alone the one played with loaded dice held by those of wealth.
We can change the odds, but we must register and vote.
The only solution, if there is one to employ before it is too late, is for the actual silent majority to raise their voice at the voting booth: an unlikely scenario given our electoral history.
Our government, thanks to our ignorance and nothing else, is not ours.
I am in fact too old to be concerned for myself, but so long as we allow our own ignorance and avoidance to lead, I do think by default life will not be pleasant for for any, but the very few children who like all of us will, by no choice of their own, be born into wealth.
Although it is, life should not remain a crapshoot, let alone the one played with loaded dice held by those of wealth.
We can change the odds, but we must register and vote.
5
I read Dr. Krugman's columns regularly and agree with all but 1% of his views (pun intended). Yes, the GOP is a mess, but the GOP is reflective of ~ half of the population of the country and who we are as a society. That there is madness in the GOP only shows there is madness in society. Like most who are delusional, they think they are the normal ones. We can blame the GOP but we must also look in the mirror.
638
That's not 1/2 of the population, it's 1/2 of the population that votes. This is a important distinction to make. On one end there are too many people who don't vote, in all likelihood because they don't feel represented by the candidates who are running for office. On the other end you have a minority in a party that is being voted in by about half of the about 40-45% of the people who vote who are holding this country hostage to their ideology.
1
Indeed! Just look at the current GOP polling results. That Donald Trump and Ben Carson lead in those polls says all one needs to know about conservatives in America. We all surround ourselves with those of like minded opinions, so I often hear those around me suggest that it is improbable that such a "crazy" (to use Boehner's own words) could ever be elected to office. The fact is however, that roughly 50% of our electorate supports just this type of candidate- Shocking! As Krugman has pointed out, conservatives have moved so far right in the last 15 years, that what is now perceived as the center is what used to be hard right.
Actually, self-identified Republicans are not about half the country, not even close.
The Republican Party has roughly 31 million members. That amounts to about 10% of the population. The Democratic Party is a solid 50% larger, with roughly 45 million members or about 15% of the population. The remaining 75% of the population are either ineligible to vote (e.g. children, non-citizen immigrants, or convicted felons), are completely politically disengaged (turnouts of under 30% are not uncommon), or are independents.
What that means is that neither major party is really representative of the population (although the Democrats are *somewhat* more representative). And the Republicans in particular are not representative at all: They received fewer votes nationally for congress even in those elections that they've won, and they receive disproportionate representation in the Senate as well because the 600,000 fairly conservative people in Wyoming get the same representation as the 40 million fairly liberal people in California.
The Republican Party has roughly 31 million members. That amounts to about 10% of the population. The Democratic Party is a solid 50% larger, with roughly 45 million members or about 15% of the population. The remaining 75% of the population are either ineligible to vote (e.g. children, non-citizen immigrants, or convicted felons), are completely politically disengaged (turnouts of under 30% are not uncommon), or are independents.
What that means is that neither major party is really representative of the population (although the Democrats are *somewhat* more representative). And the Republicans in particular are not representative at all: They received fewer votes nationally for congress even in those elections that they've won, and they receive disproportionate representation in the Senate as well because the 600,000 fairly conservative people in Wyoming get the same representation as the 40 million fairly liberal people in California.
We need to take back our language so this framing of self-proclaimed fiscal conservatives is more accurate. They have cut investments in infrastructure repair when the American Engineers have proclaimed that we are in a state of crumbling bridges, roads, tunnels, etc. Allowing our infrastructure to deteriorate is not a conservative value, it is fiscal skulduggery. The GOP spends trillions of our tax dollars on wars that are mistakes multiplied by more mistakes. They appear to want to attack and occupy a vast swath of countries. How is that neo-con cry to be considered conservative? The House has a caucus that calls themselves the Freedom Caucus and they love the word freedom and the movie Braveheart. They must have broken mirrors because today's GOP behaves more like King Edward Longshanks than other character in that film.
The GOP has policies that appear to align with Herbert Hoover sometimes. But they are really not conservatives. They are power addicts and practice fear mongering, not a good combination for American prosperity.
The GOP has policies that appear to align with Herbert Hoover sometimes. But they are really not conservatives. They are power addicts and practice fear mongering, not a good combination for American prosperity.
31
The GOP base is the white racist minority who are fighting their last stand in their war against 'those people'.
The more moderate Republican representatives, those capable of accepting objective reality, are scared to lose their jobs in primary fights, so they are highly resistant to joining with Democrats to govern reasonably.
Boehner has the opportunity, in the next month, to negotiate a budget and debt increase with his moderate base and the Democrats to take the country through 2016.
Let's see if he, and enough of his base, as the courage to do that.
It would be a decent way to exit.
The more moderate Republican representatives, those capable of accepting objective reality, are scared to lose their jobs in primary fights, so they are highly resistant to joining with Democrats to govern reasonably.
Boehner has the opportunity, in the next month, to negotiate a budget and debt increase with his moderate base and the Democrats to take the country through 2016.
Let's see if he, and enough of his base, as the courage to do that.
It would be a decent way to exit.
15
The Tea Party is ruled by fear. Fear is behind their madness. Think about it: They must stop Planned Parenthood funding now. They can't wait until (if) a Republican president is elected to do it. So they are attempting to overthrow the separation of powers to do it. Can you imagine their outrage if a Democratic Congress threatened to stamp their feet, hold their breath and put a gun to the head of the government to dictate terms to a republican president? They think they have the power --they do not -- to dictate terms. What they do have the power to do is create chaos. They are not conservatives. they are reactionaries. They are, in a word, evil. They care not about the people nor the functioning of our economy and our society, but are blinded by their addictive, self-induced mania.
4
Stories of John Boehner as a private person, tend to humanize him, and makes it all the more difficult to understand his leadership positions, and insistence in 'knowing what the American people want'.
The low poll numbers of public confidence in the GOP demonstrate he and they do not, 'know what the American people want'.
But both parties have been consumed by special interests. The verbiage given to justify policy is often window dressing, only there to mask the uninterrupted flow of money into politics.
The primary process itself, makes the cadre of elected leadership vulnerable to manipulation by minority extremists. Mandatory voting in primaries, broadening participation, would dilute the poison.
The low poll numbers of public confidence in the GOP demonstrate he and they do not, 'know what the American people want'.
But both parties have been consumed by special interests. The verbiage given to justify policy is often window dressing, only there to mask the uninterrupted flow of money into politics.
The primary process itself, makes the cadre of elected leadership vulnerable to manipulation by minority extremists. Mandatory voting in primaries, broadening participation, would dilute the poison.
1
This nation keeps on going deeper into debt during good times when it should be paying off the debt so that in bad times it can stimulate the economy, but with a continual increase in debt it can no longer afford to keep spending without having it eventually come crashing down.
Part of the problem is stupid wars starting with Vietnam and every war since then, including the bombing of Libya.
Part of the problem is stupid wars starting with Vietnam and every war since then, including the bombing of Libya.
2
The problem with the GOP is with those who elected them: the fearful, the paranoid, and the angry. They are almost exclusively white and have gerrymandered themselves into enclaves with district lines as borders for their semi-independent states. Many of them send their childern to private "Christian Centered" schools where all manner of fantasies are taught. They listen to "hate radio" and believe redundant foolishness despite facts to the contrary. They are, it seems, living in an imaginary Wonderland that even a Mad Hatter would find strange.
4
Re "Republicans did manage to put a severe crimp on federal spending, which has grown much more slowly under Mr. Obama than it did under George W. Bush, or for that matter Ronald Reagan."
What´s this GOP propaganda nonsense about the Dems being spendthrifts? The last liberal residing in the White House balanced the budget. Something no GOP president has done since Nixon. The deficits we have now are directly attributed to the wars and policies unpaid for by one George W. Bush.
The key measure you want to look at is the ratio of debt to GDP, which measures the government’s fiscal position better than a simple dollar number. And if you look at United States history since World War II, you find that of the 10 presidents who preceded Obama, seven left office with a debt ratio lower than when they came in. Who were the three exceptions? Ronald Reagan and the two George Bushes.
The deficit under Obama has decreased year on year compared to where it was when Bush left when it was 10% of GDP. Now it´s 2% of GDP. In fact, it has been shrinking at the fastest rate since WW2 de-mobilization, and it would be even more if the GOP stopped deliberately blocking/hampering deficit reducing initiatives such as cap and trade, the dream act, closing tax loop-holes, and Obamacare.
What´s this GOP propaganda nonsense about the Dems being spendthrifts? The last liberal residing in the White House balanced the budget. Something no GOP president has done since Nixon. The deficits we have now are directly attributed to the wars and policies unpaid for by one George W. Bush.
The key measure you want to look at is the ratio of debt to GDP, which measures the government’s fiscal position better than a simple dollar number. And if you look at United States history since World War II, you find that of the 10 presidents who preceded Obama, seven left office with a debt ratio lower than when they came in. Who were the three exceptions? Ronald Reagan and the two George Bushes.
The deficit under Obama has decreased year on year compared to where it was when Bush left when it was 10% of GDP. Now it´s 2% of GDP. In fact, it has been shrinking at the fastest rate since WW2 de-mobilization, and it would be even more if the GOP stopped deliberately blocking/hampering deficit reducing initiatives such as cap and trade, the dream act, closing tax loop-holes, and Obamacare.
3
"What ifs" is not a valid metric, whether it's the economy or the NFL. the stimulus was an abject failure. The telling point in the most extremist version of government is when Obama told Eric Cantor, "elections has consequences, and you lost". That statement says it all. This is the most extremist and partisian President this country has seen. He doesn't like Congress. He doesn't believe the Supreme Court has equal standing. in short, he does what he wants. Reid and Pelosi were obstructionists. At least now the American people can see them vote no. It would be better for the country to see Obama veto a measure that the majority supports. Take Obamacare as an example, since the Professor brought it up, most of those who voted in favor of that perverse law, got voted out. But in Kruggies work of illusions, this is a success.
1
Professor Krugman questions the sanity of the Republican party and rightfully so. This Party appears to have set its own course for self-destruction and appears to have done so unwittingly.
But then their analytical capabilities can easily be called into question - as we all have observed on a regular basis.
The Republican electorate's preference for an outsider - however flawed and inappropriate that person may be - is a direct result of the continual Republican denigration of government that has taken place since the Reagan years of flagrant and faulty influence.
This contempt for government and the rise of the Tea Party has finally turned around and bitten the GOP in its ........... royal rear.
They simply have not grasped the reality of how self-destruction comes about.
The Tea Party lit the match, the Party is imploding, and It couldn't have happened to a more deserving entity.
They deserve the current chaos in which they now find themselves.
I only hope that it all portends success for all Democrats in the upcoming elections.
Better that then the sinking of the Ship of State with the Republicans at the helm and with all of us on board.
It is time for the adults to take charge.
Vote accordingly.
But then their analytical capabilities can easily be called into question - as we all have observed on a regular basis.
The Republican electorate's preference for an outsider - however flawed and inappropriate that person may be - is a direct result of the continual Republican denigration of government that has taken place since the Reagan years of flagrant and faulty influence.
This contempt for government and the rise of the Tea Party has finally turned around and bitten the GOP in its ........... royal rear.
They simply have not grasped the reality of how self-destruction comes about.
The Tea Party lit the match, the Party is imploding, and It couldn't have happened to a more deserving entity.
They deserve the current chaos in which they now find themselves.
I only hope that it all portends success for all Democrats in the upcoming elections.
Better that then the sinking of the Ship of State with the Republicans at the helm and with all of us on board.
It is time for the adults to take charge.
Vote accordingly.
8
The Republicans appear to want to believe their own propaganda, even when they know that it is a pack of lies.
Hopefully, they will lose comtrol of the Senate in 2016, when they have 24 seats at risk, but the Democrats only have 10 seats at risk.
There is no placating these people, not that placating them would be sensible at all. They need to suffer a few more elecoral setbacks, including losing the Senate, and having another democrat elected President, but even that may not bring them to their senses.
Hopefully, they will lose comtrol of the Senate in 2016, when they have 24 seats at risk, but the Democrats only have 10 seats at risk.
There is no placating these people, not that placating them would be sensible at all. They need to suffer a few more elecoral setbacks, including losing the Senate, and having another democrat elected President, but even that may not bring them to their senses.
3
Well-said! Unfortunately, most of us Americans are clueless, when it comes to the role the government and corporations play in the welfare of our society as a whole. This is partly because of the successful disinformation and distraction strategy so meticulously formulated and so skillfully deployed by GOP. Just throw out phrases like "big government", "job creators," "free market" etc. and keep repeating it ad nauseam, and you can fool 100% of the gullible 100% of the time! Add to this, distracting issues such as abortion, gays, God, us vs them etc., it is enough to make most forget pocket book issues and elect the same folks bought out by the rich and the corporations over and over again, thus dooming the welfare of the nation as a whole!
Don't get me wrong. Corporations and free market are essential to a nation's economy. And national treasury is not a bottomless money pit to dole out to all the needy, either. However, compassion-less capitalism, especially unbridled by constraints imposed by society (in the form of laws passed by Congress and enforced by the Government) is as evil as Communism! Interestingly, our Constitution does not mention corporations at all. They are entities, we the people allow to exist so that we can all benefit, not just their owners. Otherwise, why have an LLC? Let us see how well they function without!!!!
Good riddance to people like Boehner, who ignore the fact that they were elected to serve 100% of the public, not just the top 0.1%!
Don't get me wrong. Corporations and free market are essential to a nation's economy. And national treasury is not a bottomless money pit to dole out to all the needy, either. However, compassion-less capitalism, especially unbridled by constraints imposed by society (in the form of laws passed by Congress and enforced by the Government) is as evil as Communism! Interestingly, our Constitution does not mention corporations at all. They are entities, we the people allow to exist so that we can all benefit, not just their owners. Otherwise, why have an LLC? Let us see how well they function without!!!!
Good riddance to people like Boehner, who ignore the fact that they were elected to serve 100% of the public, not just the top 0.1%!
4
Please explain how LLCs benefit us all.
This should be on the front page of the NY Times - but it won't. For the most part the press is pretending that there's nothing wrong with the Republican Party. After all, it's the party of Ronald Reagan, one of the greatest presidents in modern history - or so the legend goes.
Of course, Reagan was also the president who declared war on government, calling it the problem, not the solution. And the neoliberal Democratic establishment validated that view when Bill Clinton announced the era of Big Government is over. Where we are today should not really be a surprise then, except that so many are in denial.
To quote a popular expression, "Why am I in this hand basket, and where am I going?" The opposition to Big Government might be tolerable if we didn't have Big Problems. Inequality is worse than ever; Climate Change will not be denied away - and that's just the start of the list. So long as we have a major political party determined to ignore reality and no real acknowledgement of that fact by the rest of us, it's not going to end well.
Of course, Reagan was also the president who declared war on government, calling it the problem, not the solution. And the neoliberal Democratic establishment validated that view when Bill Clinton announced the era of Big Government is over. Where we are today should not really be a surprise then, except that so many are in denial.
To quote a popular expression, "Why am I in this hand basket, and where am I going?" The opposition to Big Government might be tolerable if we didn't have Big Problems. Inequality is worse than ever; Climate Change will not be denied away - and that's just the start of the list. So long as we have a major political party determined to ignore reality and no real acknowledgement of that fact by the rest of us, it's not going to end well.
6
The question, "Did Mr. Boehner actually believe what he was saying?", is one that comes to mind often when listening to politicians from both parties, but particularly the more outlandish GOP. Is it possible that so many highly educated people, able to think on their feet well enough that they are astonishingly good liars, really believe, no matter how much evidence there is to the contrary, that humans play no role in climate change, that wealth trickles down, that equal opportunity exists in the U.S., that justice is blind....
It is difficult to imagine that they truly believe many of these things, but it's almost more disturbing to think that they do not believe it and are simply in the habit of making such outlandish claims in a cynical ploy to manipulate citizens. Maybe a good deal of it is explained by Saul Bellow's observation: “A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep.” When those who own our politicians demand favors in return, the need for illusion is as deep as the warming seas.
It is difficult to imagine that they truly believe many of these things, but it's almost more disturbing to think that they do not believe it and are simply in the habit of making such outlandish claims in a cynical ploy to manipulate citizens. Maybe a good deal of it is explained by Saul Bellow's observation: “A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep.” When those who own our politicians demand favors in return, the need for illusion is as deep as the warming seas.
12
Co-pays under health insurance have reached the level of the fees for services that prevailed before health insurance companies took over price negotiation for us.
2
GOP extremism will eventually be excreted from the body politic as a political movement. It will eventually run its course, albeit after inflicting insurmountable damage to the economy and social fabric.
5
I'm pulling for Louie Gohmert as the next speaker, and that is only half joking. There is a nice saying in German, "Lieber ein Ende mit Schrecken als ein Schrecken ohne Ende" which literally translates to "better a horrible end than horrors without end". Since at least as far back as 2009 the Republicans have been "horrors without end" for our economy, foreign policy and world reputation.
A Gohmert speakership would speed the Republicans where they have already been heading, to the nadir of the party's existence. Once the party hits bottom it can either dissolve or be reborn and we can again enjoy a functioning two party system. Another decade of Republican "horrors without end" will do untold damage to the world.
A Gohmert speakership would speed the Republicans where they have already been heading, to the nadir of the party's existence. Once the party hits bottom it can either dissolve or be reborn and we can again enjoy a functioning two party system. Another decade of Republican "horrors without end" will do untold damage to the world.
9
Dr. Krugman, let's get down to cases. The Republican party doesn't hate the presidency, an office for which it lusts; it hates the current presidency. You see, his election in 2008 upset, for all time, the smug assurance that their strange idea of governance would always hold true. Even more galling was this president's affirming re-election in 2012. Republicans have never run from deficit spending when one of theirs called 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue home. Recall Darth Vader's (oh, so sorry) Richard Cheney's "deficits don't matter" when he was bullying Boy George into swiping the public's credit card on the country's reputation and future with less than nothing on account. Republicans have now become emboldened by the beheading of John Boehner. They're all in on the program to crater the public exchequer on Barack Obama's watch. They also realize that Americans own very short attention spans and are banking on the public's blaming the black man in the Oval Office for any financial disaster before he leaves office. They think we're mostly docile and easily-led. We must prove them wrong. We fail at our peril.
19
Krugman: "The Boehner era has been one in which Republicans have accepted no responsibility for helping to govern the country, in which they have opposed anything and everything the president proposes."
Agree! The Republicans have had no constructive ideas and have done nothing to advance the common/public good since Obama was elected to office.
They are essentially "deadbeats" that receive a good salary and benefits for doing no real work, and all at taxpayer expenses.
Ronald Reagan warned the country about so-called "welfare queens" on the government dole. Well, we now have some real rather than fictitious "welfare queens" (primarily "kings") that are on the government dole, and they are the Republicans that dominate both houses of Congress, elected officials with intention of doing any real work.
Agree! The Republicans have had no constructive ideas and have done nothing to advance the common/public good since Obama was elected to office.
They are essentially "deadbeats" that receive a good salary and benefits for doing no real work, and all at taxpayer expenses.
Ronald Reagan warned the country about so-called "welfare queens" on the government dole. Well, we now have some real rather than fictitious "welfare queens" (primarily "kings") that are on the government dole, and they are the Republicans that dominate both houses of Congress, elected officials with intention of doing any real work.
16
"But the economy did well enough . . . for Mr Obama to win reelection in 2012 with a solid majority. . " As I recall, the popular vote total was 63 mil for Obama to 60 mil for the candidate pledged to look out for the interests of the wealthy class. I don't find this particularly comforting. It says to me that a substantial # of Americans are happy with scorched earth, obstructionist, self- centered, authoritarian leadership that rejects any notion of a national community of interest.
12
I just listened to Marco Rubio on the radio this morning. In the calmest and most straightforward way, he blamed the impending government shutdown on President Obama and Democrats. According to Mr Rubio, Democrats -- and most definitely not Republicans -- are the ones who want a fight over the funding of a single organization, Planned Parenthood. If it comes to a shutdown, Republicans will be blameless.
Although I agree with everything Prof. Krugman has said about Mr Boehner, I still have a small amount of sympathy for the man. He has had to deal with a whole pack of Republicans who believe (or at least pretend to believe like Mr Rubio does) that black is white and white is black. Having to humor these people in any respect would be enough to make one crazy, too.
Although I agree with everything Prof. Krugman has said about Mr Boehner, I still have a small amount of sympathy for the man. He has had to deal with a whole pack of Republicans who believe (or at least pretend to believe like Mr Rubio does) that black is white and white is black. Having to humor these people in any respect would be enough to make one crazy, too.
8
Lest we forget that the Congressional Republicans injected the word "Austerity" into the everyday conversation years ago and that word quickly spread throughout Europe as well leading to austerity almost everywhere. You of all people should agree that the Republicans put the brakes on our economic growth.
3
Behind every cloud is a silver lining:
Within a decade or so, the Republican Party will be relegated to the trash can of history; it will simply cease to be. With each passing week I am more-and-more convinced of this.
They might survive for a while in the congress and in statehouses across the land, but as a national party, the GOP is finished. George W. Bush will be remembered as the last Republican president - not merely as the most incompetent.
Silver linings abound in this doomed country. One just needs to know where to look.
http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com
Tom Degan
Within a decade or so, the Republican Party will be relegated to the trash can of history; it will simply cease to be. With each passing week I am more-and-more convinced of this.
They might survive for a while in the congress and in statehouses across the land, but as a national party, the GOP is finished. George W. Bush will be remembered as the last Republican president - not merely as the most incompetent.
Silver linings abound in this doomed country. One just needs to know where to look.
http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com
Tom Degan
3
The most fundamental glue or covenant that binds our nation and community is the right to vote and the obligation to pay taxes that are required to support the collective will enacted through that vote. Part of that covenant is the obligation to pay for things that we personally do not wish to have - we do not get to pay only for that part of the budget with which we agree.
It is telling that the major policy position of the GOP is "cut taxes" regardless of the consequences - it is their only policy thought and their legislators are even bound to violate their oath of office by signed commitments to Grover to never raise taxes for any reason.
A major tactic of the GOP with respect to the ballot is to make it as difficult as possible for voters to exercise their right to vote. Those caught doing that should be punished to the same extent as those who cheat on their taxes. Both are major violations of our national covenant.
Seen in this light, the egregious behavior of the Republican Party in its legislative and organizational strategies confirms that they are unAmerican thugs and villains willing violating the most fundamental covenant of our society.
It is telling that the major policy position of the GOP is "cut taxes" regardless of the consequences - it is their only policy thought and their legislators are even bound to violate their oath of office by signed commitments to Grover to never raise taxes for any reason.
A major tactic of the GOP with respect to the ballot is to make it as difficult as possible for voters to exercise their right to vote. Those caught doing that should be punished to the same extent as those who cheat on their taxes. Both are major violations of our national covenant.
Seen in this light, the egregious behavior of the Republican Party in its legislative and organizational strategies confirms that they are unAmerican thugs and villains willing violating the most fundamental covenant of our society.
7
This is precisely the kind of political behavior that authoritarian leaders in countries like China, Russia and others can point to when their people ask for more respect for human rights and democracy: The problem with letting people vote for their leaders is that stupid people can vote too. The Republicans should be careful unless they want to undermine faith not only in the U.S. and its government, but in its entire system of government as well.
4
When will people notice that, whenever the far right "wins" a concession, they promptly move the goalposts even further right. No concession will ever be enough. No one will ever be pure enough. No one will ever be conservative enough. We will all get pulled further and further right, and it will never be enough. Stop giving in, because it will never be enough, and we will loose ourselves trying to placate the implacable.
76
"When will people notice that, whenever the far right "wins" a concession, they promptly move the goalposts even further right. No concession will ever be enough."
So true. How sad that it took President Obama a good part of his two terms to understand this.
So true. How sad that it took President Obama a good part of his two terms to understand this.
Basically "Peace in our time" is a losing strategy.
A couple of things come to mind here..first one…honor among thieves, and the second one is when there is no honor, which is what we have, is the raw truth of good cop, bad cop. Our elite owns both parties, so there is a game that must be played to fool the public into thinking there is a real debate. But behind the scenes, everyone is working for the same folks with slight variations. Maybe labor is for the working stiff, but the deeper truth is a tacit agreement to not go too far in one direction or the other to undermine the hygemony of the elite class. What we see out in the public view is a charade. The players do what they must to be re-elected and to hold on to their piece of the pie of power. In Europe, the labor lefty parties have done the same (also in the pockets of corporate power), frustrating the electorate and moving things articially to the right..the public has no other choice, to express their dissatisfaction with the status quo. Along comes Bernie Sanders, whose campaign gets precious little coverage, but for those who hear him, are of course, very enthusiastic that there might in fact be a choice. I hope Americans really do get to hear about him. Otherwise, the blackmail goes on unabated. Americans realize that things are not as good as claimed. They are the ones directly suffering from the inequality, rampant everywhere.
16
Carolyn, thank you for so incredibly concisely framing the situation. Regardless of party they are all in the pocket of big money. And yes, Sanders appears to be by far the only candidate who wants to bring real change. The question is how do we wake up the lazy voters who deliberately choose to NOT educate themselves to the facts and are swayed by TV propaganda in their voting decisions, if, indeed they actually vote? Another question is how do we get rid of Citizens United and have the Federal government finance the electoral process, rather than have it bought by big money interests?
2
Party before country does a disservice to the country and to the party in power. Compromise and open minded dialog by politicians are mandatory if we are to lead the world in combating the problems we all face today rich or poor.
3
Due to the competing political forces our system is currently in deadlock. That is good. We are at the elbow of a exponential curve of technological innovation. If the politicians could, they might obstruct this wave of innovation in favor of the cultural and economic baggage they carry for their donors. Although Boehner was a particularly ineffective leader of the GOP in the House, his successor will predictably be no better. Good - we are headed toward a promising future, and all our political institutions can offer is resistance to change.
1
What????
John Boehner as Speaker was a creation of the Republican extremists, he was equally a victim of this very fringe that's out to demolish what's left of the party.
5
Victim???? He personally chose to be a dupe and a liar for big money interests.
Dr. Krugman, I love your columns but this one downright scared me because of its raw, brutal truth. If I didn't know better, I'd say it was the writing of some dystopian political novel. But I do know better, and your assessment is bleaker than bleak.
Particularly this paragraph: "Did Mr. Boehner actually believe what he was saying? Was he just against anything Mr. Obama was for? Or was he engaged in deliberate sabotage, trying to block measures that would help the economy because a bad economy would be good for Republican electoral prospects?"
That last sentence is a corker. While I just don't think Boehner was crafty enough for that, at this point, I wouldn't rule it out. Because, as you point out, the vitriolic obstructionism--"scorched earth" indeed--has really gone too far. Ever since the childish, tantrum-like "tactic" of government shutdowns over any and everything started in 2011, I've been astounded to see that the GOP really has lost its mind.
That lunatic ideologues would attempt to blow up the US economy, destroying their portfolios and those of ordinary Americans, doesn't seem possible. Yet it happened, not once but thrice and it's looming again.
This band of 50, let run amok by the two-faced Speaker, is as dangerous as only the truly crazy can be.
Particularly this paragraph: "Did Mr. Boehner actually believe what he was saying? Was he just against anything Mr. Obama was for? Or was he engaged in deliberate sabotage, trying to block measures that would help the economy because a bad economy would be good for Republican electoral prospects?"
That last sentence is a corker. While I just don't think Boehner was crafty enough for that, at this point, I wouldn't rule it out. Because, as you point out, the vitriolic obstructionism--"scorched earth" indeed--has really gone too far. Ever since the childish, tantrum-like "tactic" of government shutdowns over any and everything started in 2011, I've been astounded to see that the GOP really has lost its mind.
That lunatic ideologues would attempt to blow up the US economy, destroying their portfolios and those of ordinary Americans, doesn't seem possible. Yet it happened, not once but thrice and it's looming again.
This band of 50, let run amok by the two-faced Speaker, is as dangerous as only the truly crazy can be.
94
I think there can be no doubt that the GOP wants our country to fail and has worked hard to achieve that. Isn't that a crime? Shouldn't the GOP be investigated by the DOJ? Isn't it treason to try to bring the government down? How do they continue to get away with it?!
Sweet. Two NYTs articles today on "how we missed Boehner's resignation that was in the making for over two years now".
So both Blow and Krugman, two guys who rarely get it right, say that the GOP via conservatives will ruin America. Because the ruling elite Dems and establishment have done just a bang up job, right?
So both Blow and Krugman, two guys who rarely get it right, say that the GOP via conservatives will ruin America. Because the ruling elite Dems and establishment have done just a bang up job, right?
4
Where to begin? Too many idiotic things to rebut so this will suffice: Name 5 things that the republicans have proposed, that don't involve thoroughly debunked voodoo economics, to improve the country. We'll be waiting forever because you can't because the crackpot republican party is now the party that wants to ruin American in favor of dark ages ideologies.
Just go back to Sept. of 2008 to honestly admit that Obama & company have performed a veritable miracle; we are much better off today than we should have been able to expect we would be, when viewed from the bottom of that deep chasm 7 years ago.
What ARE you talking about? Let's see: Iraq War -- who built that? Economic crash? Who was managing then? Recovery...? Oh right, that was after Obama's election. Health care more affordable and more people insured? Hmm.
And remind me what Krugman got wrong? Oh, yes, early in the Bush Administration he worried that interest rates were going to shoot up. He was wrong. He acknowledged and learned from his mistakes. Since then he's put his reputation on the line over and over again about what would happen to interest rates under current policy. And over and over again he's been right. A lot of Republican know-it-alls have been claiming, for years and years now, that he was, what is it you said? a guy who rarely gets it right.
Me, I see a guy who rarely gets it wrong.
And remind me what Krugman got wrong? Oh, yes, early in the Bush Administration he worried that interest rates were going to shoot up. He was wrong. He acknowledged and learned from his mistakes. Since then he's put his reputation on the line over and over again about what would happen to interest rates under current policy. And over and over again he's been right. A lot of Republican know-it-alls have been claiming, for years and years now, that he was, what is it you said? a guy who rarely gets it right.
Me, I see a guy who rarely gets it wrong.
Boehner was a bad speaker of the House of Representatives, but in the opinion of the Republican Party, he was bad because he could not push the Republican policy and thus influence the actions of President Obama. His successor will be a man who will be "more worthy" in the opinion of the GOP. So yes, it will be a difficult time for America.
4
Being more confined than I was during my days when I worked on local campaigns and did my bit for the presidential candidates, I still listen to those whose voting and political positions are not mine. Not because I always want to but because they are so bloody 'in your face' over their version of how badly the country is doing, how horrible the president and the Democrats are, and how marvelous life will be once we have a GOPer as president.
The glee from their side over Boehner's resignation leaves me wondering what it is that they expect to happen once someone else is going to be Speaker of the House. Surely they can't get more obstinate, obstructive, obtuse to the needs of the country as a whole and be even less compromising. But to listen to my ordinary GOP family members, America will settle with Iran quite quickly and the Iran nuclear deal with be in OUR favor. ACA will be a thing of the past and, yes, the GOP has a GREAT plan for health insurance, they just haven't made it public. And the best of all, there will be a CHRISTIAN in the WH at last --- a person who will help bring America to God. And Boehner is gone and won't be able to stop it ---- he wasn't a "real" conservative because he worked occasionally with Obama and the Democrats.
The glee from their side over Boehner's resignation leaves me wondering what it is that they expect to happen once someone else is going to be Speaker of the House. Surely they can't get more obstinate, obstructive, obtuse to the needs of the country as a whole and be even less compromising. But to listen to my ordinary GOP family members, America will settle with Iran quite quickly and the Iran nuclear deal with be in OUR favor. ACA will be a thing of the past and, yes, the GOP has a GREAT plan for health insurance, they just haven't made it public. And the best of all, there will be a CHRISTIAN in the WH at last --- a person who will help bring America to God. And Boehner is gone and won't be able to stop it ---- he wasn't a "real" conservative because he worked occasionally with Obama and the Democrats.
29
"All across America, families are tightening their belts and making hard choices. Now, Washington must show that same sense of responsibility."
President Obama April, 2009
Dr Krugman has forgotten President Obama's own deficit reduction madness.
President Obama April, 2009
Dr Krugman has forgotten President Obama's own deficit reduction madness.
6
No. Pk has quoted that several times, citing it as a major mistake where Obama surrendered to know-nothing economics. Look it up!
Let's accept, David S, that Mr. Obama hasn't always negotiated well with the crazies and has suffered his own version of the Stockholm Syndrome, overly identifying with his captors.
Well, not quite. If you read the entire speech you'd see he wanted to reduce waste to use the savings to make better investments. Nice try
John Boehner, R-Planet Orange voted for:
Both of Bush's unfunded wars.
Both of Bush's unfunded tax gifts to the 1%.
Bush's unfunded trillion dollar gift to Big Pharma, Medicare Part D.
All seven of Bush's debt ceiling increases.
After all that obscene waste Boehner, the hypocrite, begins preaching putting the gubmint on a diet.
Both of Bush's unfunded wars.
Both of Bush's unfunded tax gifts to the 1%.
Bush's unfunded trillion dollar gift to Big Pharma, Medicare Part D.
All seven of Bush's debt ceiling increases.
After all that obscene waste Boehner, the hypocrite, begins preaching putting the gubmint on a diet.
84
Yes, "cry for America, which must find a way to live with a G.O.P. gone mad." But how convenient it is for the Demolicans that the Republicrats are so obviously irrational. The Demolicans can easily cater to the interests of big business by simply distancing themselves from blatant insanity.
2
I agree. But you know what? In the current situation that's fine with me. Any frying pan in a fire.
Prof. Krugman, do you perhaps mean "extortion", rather than "blackmail"? The latter means something like "an offender threatening to reveal information about a victim or his family members that is potentially embarrassing, socially damaging, or incriminating unless a demand for money . . . etc."
Neither term describes Republican behavior as well as the terms "thugs", "vandals", "goons", etc. would, but "blackmail" seems to totally miss the mark.
Neither term describes Republican behavior as well as the terms "thugs", "vandals", "goons", etc. would, but "blackmail" seems to totally miss the mark.
24
Let me get this straight, Paul.The economy has improved slightly, so Obamas a genius. But the economy has not improved enough, so it's the Republicans fault. Really sound logic. I'm glad I invested the time to read your brilliant editorial. Well, not really.
3
Yes, you do have it straight: the stimulus should have been much larger, and would have been beneficial to the entire country, but was stymied by the Repubs.
1
I think you should reread the article.
vinb87 -- Can you read. Krugman explained why the recovery has taken so long -- the lack of a further stimulus in 2009 because Agent Orange from Ohio decided it was time to put the "government on a diet" which he did solely to retard the recovery in order to enhance the chances of the loons on the right at the polls.
Freedom and Democracy. I hear so much about "taking back our country." From whom and to whom? From rational thinkers to nutty people. From Democrats to Republicans. From progressives who want to advance the country into a bright future to conservatives who want to take it backwards and who sound more and more like the Ayatollahs. Under the guise of intellectualism and "free thinking or freedom thinking," the conservatives shut their eyes and ears and refuse to acknowledge the existence of genuinely progressive and better societies such as those in Scandinavia where inequality is minimal and prosperity far more widespread, where education and health care are available to all at a modest cost, where genuine upward movement is actually possible and available to all. Under the conservatives, under the guise of "freedom of speech," governance and wealth are getting more and more concentrated in the hands of plutocrats, the modern day version of medieval feudal lords. These plutocrats have accumulated so much wealth that they can now "buy" all three branches of the government and, I fear, even the fourth branch, the media.
57
Since it was mentioned here again, I don't know why the Democrats never addressed the fact that one does not need to be born within the borders of the United States to be an American. One can be born anywhere in the world as long as at least one of the two parents are American citizens. No one has questioned the fact that Mr. Obama's mother was an American citizen.
Need further proof of citizenship? Ask Presidential Candidate Ted Cruz, who really was born in a foreign country (Canada) of an American mother. Odd that there is no controversy over his nationality like there was of a black American candidate.
Need further proof of citizenship? Ask Presidential Candidate Ted Cruz, who really was born in a foreign country (Canada) of an American mother. Odd that there is no controversy over his nationality like there was of a black American candidate.
315
There was some minor law, that obviously had no Constitutional backing, saying that an American minor had to live in the US for a certain number of years after turning 18 before her child could be presumed a US citizen.
Because that's not really the Birther's point: If they aren't convinced by a legally binding long-form birth certificate from Hawaii, it's not a lack of evidence that's causing them to think Obama is not an American citizen.
The real point the Birthers are actually making is this: The only true American citizens are white, Christian or possibly Jewish, and rural or suburban, and everybody else is an invading horde who is allowed to be here due solely to the magnanimity of those citizens. You can hear that in Sarah Palin's rhetoric about "real America" as clearly as almost everything Donald Trump says about Mexican immigrants. In their vision of how America should look, Hispanic-Americans should be sent back to where they (or their ancestors) came from, African-Americans are a mortal threat to be forcibly contained in the city slums, and Arab-Americans should be immediately sent to Gitmo as potential terrorists.
Because Obama is only half-white, in this worldview he can't possibly be a real citizen of this country. And anything he does to demonstrate otherwise is part of his plot to trick real Americans into accepting his rule. That's also why they think he's Muslim: it's another way of saying "He's not one of us".
The real point the Birthers are actually making is this: The only true American citizens are white, Christian or possibly Jewish, and rural or suburban, and everybody else is an invading horde who is allowed to be here due solely to the magnanimity of those citizens. You can hear that in Sarah Palin's rhetoric about "real America" as clearly as almost everything Donald Trump says about Mexican immigrants. In their vision of how America should look, Hispanic-Americans should be sent back to where they (or their ancestors) came from, African-Americans are a mortal threat to be forcibly contained in the city slums, and Arab-Americans should be immediately sent to Gitmo as potential terrorists.
Because Obama is only half-white, in this worldview he can't possibly be a real citizen of this country. And anything he does to demonstrate otherwise is part of his plot to trick real Americans into accepting his rule. That's also why they think he's Muslim: it's another way of saying "He's not one of us".
1
Since his announced retirement, I have heard too many pundits comment about what a good man Boehner is and how he tried to "educate" and restrain the more radical element of the Republican members. Revisionist nonsense! As Dr. Krugman documents, Boehner deliberately sacrificed America as collateral damage in a declared Republican war on Obama. Republicans have totally lost their war as they have lost all sense of reality.
With regard to the Planned Parenthood vendetta -- I would like to see an investigation of the group that concocted their lies, doctored their videos and launched their attack. We can't expect the Republican controlled House to do that. We need a Justice Department investigation of this group. They have attempted to deceive the American people and Congress. That should be sufficient grounds to investigate and prosecute them because they have harmed a great organization and the women they serve.
With regard to the Planned Parenthood vendetta -- I would like to see an investigation of the group that concocted their lies, doctored their videos and launched their attack. We can't expect the Republican controlled House to do that. We need a Justice Department investigation of this group. They have attempted to deceive the American people and Congress. That should be sufficient grounds to investigate and prosecute them because they have harmed a great organization and the women they serve.
132
public memory is so short, we now hail the man who was the face of the "party of no". Just because he cries a lot does not a hero (or sympathetic figure) him make!
@JABarry: It is illegal to audiotape people without their knowledge. In some states, it is a felony. The fabricators of the Planned Parenthood attack videos broke the law and should be prosecuted.
While the theme of the comments here are that Boehner's resignation is only a minor element in the problem of governance of the US, I see no mention of the problem that is seen from outside the US. This is that there seems to be a large proportion of Americans who are brainwashed by the overwhelming propaganda of the right wing press and TV but do not have the intelligence to see it for what it is.
12
Actually, the truth is scarier than that. Many do have the intelligence, but the right wing propaganda fits their hatreds and prejudices so they follow with no twinge of conscience.
I think Boehner would have been more suited to being speaker pre-Gingrich. His failure to compromise, and his obstructionism, were the trade-off for remaining as Speaker. I think he is an old-fashioned GOP pol that would have compromised. I don't think his party gave him any choice. The alternative: put a wing-nut in the speaker's chair. Deep down, I think he tried to resist the extreme to an extent. But the Hastert rule has to go.
Now, it's only going to get worse, until they overplay their hand and even their shrinking, low-information base figures it out.
Now, it's only going to get worse, until they overplay their hand and even their shrinking, low-information base figures it out.
5
Paul Krugman was one of the reasons I took out my New York Times subscription. He's brilliant, and like all brilliant people, has the ability to break down highly complex issues into language that allows the common man to understand the basics of our national and world economic issues,
In this op-ed he is dead center on point. Boehner allowed the Republican Party to go so far insanely right that it is now out of his ability to control. I firmly believe he wanted the nation to fail under Obama simply so Republicans could be in power.
Worst of all, if there is a government shut down over Planned Parenthood (give me a break, is the GOP insane), Americans will tell the new even more far right wing Republican Party, that wasting billions of tax dollars and, in the case of the debt ceiling, threatening a national and world depression, by blackmail is completely unacceptable. This should lead to the long overdue expulsion of these out of control right wingers,
Thank you Paul,
In this op-ed he is dead center on point. Boehner allowed the Republican Party to go so far insanely right that it is now out of his ability to control. I firmly believe he wanted the nation to fail under Obama simply so Republicans could be in power.
Worst of all, if there is a government shut down over Planned Parenthood (give me a break, is the GOP insane), Americans will tell the new even more far right wing Republican Party, that wasting billions of tax dollars and, in the case of the debt ceiling, threatening a national and world depression, by blackmail is completely unacceptable. This should lead to the long overdue expulsion of these out of control right wingers,
Thank you Paul,
16
For as long as I can remember, Democratic presidential candidates have been required to show they will "stand up to their base," by the NY-Washington media. I don't know whom they were supposed to show this ability to (have you ever met a voter who wanted Hillary Clinton, for example, to stiff the poor?), but it has been an absolute requirement since at least Bill Clinton's "Sister Souljah" moment, and that moment was one of the few times the press suspended its contempt for and hatred of him. For all this time, I've been waiting for some similar requirement for a Republican candidate, but so far, nothing doing. Regardless of how crazy and extreme the Republican base has become, no Republican politician is ever required to "stand up to their base." It's possible Boehner's post-resignation comments, attacking the most unreasonable elements of his party for being unreasonable, will put some such requirement on the table for the R's, but we will see. It is, at least, a step in a direction we, as a society, should have been moving in long ago.
BTW. that's not to give Boehner full credit for the comments, as it seems he is burnishing his bipartisan credentials for his future as a lobbyist (my money is on McDonald Hopkins winning the Boehner sweepstakes; it must feel good to him to be wanted after all those years of abuse), but one must still throw the beaten dog a bone when it rolls over at last.
BTW. that's not to give Boehner full credit for the comments, as it seems he is burnishing his bipartisan credentials for his future as a lobbyist (my money is on McDonald Hopkins winning the Boehner sweepstakes; it must feel good to him to be wanted after all those years of abuse), but one must still throw the beaten dog a bone when it rolls over at last.
2
During the waning days of the Roman Empire, during the Third Century C.E., a breed of emperor known as the "Barracks Emperor" dots the history books. Emperors had become, with good cause, wary about their survival in an increasingly violent culture. So, they gathered around themselves the Praetorian Guard, whose sole task was to ensure the Emperor's life and rule.
Strangely, the buffer each Emperor hoped would save him from assassination or being deposed sometimes led to his deposition or death. Increasingly, the new Emperor had been a Praetorian Guard commander when the previous Emperor was cut down. One might imagine each successive Barracks Emperor thinking, "I'll hire loyal guys to protect me from the disloyal guys who killed my predecessor and got me this job."
Exit John Boehner. Soon Mitch McConnell will feel the chill as his retainers slip away and those who would finalize the Republican Party's metamorphosis from gatekeepers of the rich to the scourge of modern pluralistic democracy will text him, offering a chalice or exile. He will be led away mewling, "My rich, why have you forsaken me?"
Remember, the Praetorian Guard was just a bunch of employees. They weren't supposed to bump off the Emperor and take the government for themselves! Rather, it was assumed that they would serve humbly, die bravely, and make sure that the plutocrats never ran out of Champagne. No one said that they should be in charge!
Kevin McCarthy, uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.
Strangely, the buffer each Emperor hoped would save him from assassination or being deposed sometimes led to his deposition or death. Increasingly, the new Emperor had been a Praetorian Guard commander when the previous Emperor was cut down. One might imagine each successive Barracks Emperor thinking, "I'll hire loyal guys to protect me from the disloyal guys who killed my predecessor and got me this job."
Exit John Boehner. Soon Mitch McConnell will feel the chill as his retainers slip away and those who would finalize the Republican Party's metamorphosis from gatekeepers of the rich to the scourge of modern pluralistic democracy will text him, offering a chalice or exile. He will be led away mewling, "My rich, why have you forsaken me?"
Remember, the Praetorian Guard was just a bunch of employees. They weren't supposed to bump off the Emperor and take the government for themselves! Rather, it was assumed that they would serve humbly, die bravely, and make sure that the plutocrats never ran out of Champagne. No one said that they should be in charge!
Kevin McCarthy, uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.
4
Lacking, for now, an organised external threat, the American right is distilling its venom inside the system. It has converted the lack of ideological challenge to capitalism into negative energy. There is no in medio veritas for them. Instead of governed capital they head onto a wild rush to self destructive extremism. The crisis of 2008 was not enough for them. They learnt nothing relevant and forgot no petit interest. A crop of populist politicians pander to the naive idea that government is not necessary. They need to take a trip to Siria to see the effects of anarchy.
7
"The weakness of spending has, in turn, been a major headwind delaying recovery, probably the single biggest reason it has taken so long to bounce back from the 2007-2009 recession."
Maybe not the single biggest reason given the income inequality that is ruining our society---- for two generations.
"Obama is looking more and more like a highly successful president..."
Not when the effects of the ACA are played out. The ACA is a give-away to insurance companies who agreed to cut their rates and have, in fact, raised them.
Maybe not the single biggest reason given the income inequality that is ruining our society---- for two generations.
"Obama is looking more and more like a highly successful president..."
Not when the effects of the ACA are played out. The ACA is a give-away to insurance companies who agreed to cut their rates and have, in fact, raised them.
2
Their solution to every international problem is war.
Their economic policy created the Great Recession we are trying to still overcome.
They are motivated by an overriding desire to control a woman's uterus.
If it is factual, or scientifically based, that is not enough to refute their arguement.
They would ruin the country by not governing, or serving our nation, for the benefit of their party and donors.
If you're not white, you're not right.
Welcome to the GOP 2015.
Their economic policy created the Great Recession we are trying to still overcome.
They are motivated by an overriding desire to control a woman's uterus.
If it is factual, or scientifically based, that is not enough to refute their arguement.
They would ruin the country by not governing, or serving our nation, for the benefit of their party and donors.
If you're not white, you're not right.
Welcome to the GOP 2015.
20
"...Still, things could have been worse...."
Absolutely. The Democrats could have retained control of Congress after 2010 and shoved more, and enough socialism down the throats of the nation to have completely bankrupted the USA, not to mention rendered the nation senseless,, and thus paved the way for a, "single payer" "economy" where the likes of Professor Krugman might become People's Commissars for the, uh, good of the People.
But, by some miracle of common sense not foretold by "educational experts," the People failed to forget the abundant failures of the Soviet model that expired of its own ineptitude more than a generation ago, and neglected to return the democratic party to control over both the Congress, and the White House after 2010.
And please, no folderol about gerrymandering.. Gerrymandering was invented by democrats, and never used more effectively to stack the deck than during the years including, and between, democrats FDR and LBJ.
You can have your cake and eat it too, but only if you actually are a People's Commissar.
"...This is nonsense, of course...."
Blackmail is a felony. If hyperbole is the best the democratic party's best economist has to offer, the pickings for Democrats are going to be slim, indeed.
Absolutely. The Democrats could have retained control of Congress after 2010 and shoved more, and enough socialism down the throats of the nation to have completely bankrupted the USA, not to mention rendered the nation senseless,, and thus paved the way for a, "single payer" "economy" where the likes of Professor Krugman might become People's Commissars for the, uh, good of the People.
But, by some miracle of common sense not foretold by "educational experts," the People failed to forget the abundant failures of the Soviet model that expired of its own ineptitude more than a generation ago, and neglected to return the democratic party to control over both the Congress, and the White House after 2010.
And please, no folderol about gerrymandering.. Gerrymandering was invented by democrats, and never used more effectively to stack the deck than during the years including, and between, democrats FDR and LBJ.
You can have your cake and eat it too, but only if you actually are a People's Commissar.
"...This is nonsense, of course...."
Blackmail is a felony. If hyperbole is the best the democratic party's best economist has to offer, the pickings for Democrats are going to be slim, indeed.
6
Tim, you are using the well known tactic of inventing an extreme, that nobody supports, and attributing it to those not agreeing with you. The Democrats are not Lenin. But the two World wide economic crises within living memory, and their awful consequences on the lives of people, were the result of the economic policies of Hoover, Reagan, and Bush. They were, and are, Republicans. Are they not?
1
All you do is shoot your own straw men, gunny.
3
Gerrymandering steals a voter's right to have his or her vote count. Without current gerrymandering Pennsylvania's and Ohio's and probably North Carolina's House delegations would all be majority Democratic. Illinois would probably be Republican. And Texas would be on the line.
Elbridge Gerry, for whom gerrymandering was named, was Madison's vice-president and died over 200 years ago, in 1814. Since many Republicans today claim that the early "Republican" party of Jefferson and Madison and Gerry has as its REAL descendants the modern GOP and not the Democratic Party, you can't have it both ways.
Elbridge Gerry, for whom gerrymandering was named, was Madison's vice-president and died over 200 years ago, in 1814. Since many Republicans today claim that the early "Republican" party of Jefferson and Madison and Gerry has as its REAL descendants the modern GOP and not the Democratic Party, you can't have it both ways.
The amazing thing about the Obama presidency is how much actually happened. Numbers of uninsured came down, we started talking to Iran, etc. Really big really important stuff, despite lockstep unprincipled opposition. Why? Because he captured the center. I'm worried that if the next president tries it from the right (Trump?) or from the left (Saunders) it'll be a time of great stagnation. I think Hilary is in a position to do the tough work of governing. Her work in the state department proves it. The press needs to stop hating on her.
29
The popular vote in the last presidential election was very much in favor of the Democrats, yet through gerrymandering a GOP-dominated congress prevailed precipitating a deliberate paralysis of government, where a rump is holding the whole place to ransom. It doesn't really jibe with the notion of the US as a global leader with a bunch of gleeful stalwart obstructionists holding court whose sole aim is to thwart Obama's governance with political impunity because their seats are safe. This is an insidious form of plutocracy. It's a sinister development where elements of a ruinous anarchy are now emerging.
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John Boehner enabled and legitimized this tactic of taking the government hostage. He had votes from the Democrats in the House to marginalize the extremists and pass legislation (correction, "the more extreme members of his extreme caucus").
The paradox is that the rabid Republican mob should be allowed to shut down the government over their incoherent demands and demonstrate, once and for all, that the 2016 version of the Republican Party cannot govern:
No Social Security checks; No payments to farmers, affecting the food supply; No Medicare payments, which will force hospitals to close; No payments or services to veterans; Layoff millions of government workers; Layoff millions of government contractors; No payments to universities; Close all military bases; Send Wall Street and the world economy crashing; No licenses or passports; No services that each and every citizen use and NEED in their daily lives.
Let the Republicans have their way, for the long-term good of the country; there is no ransom when the hostage is dead.
The paradox is that the rabid Republican mob should be allowed to shut down the government over their incoherent demands and demonstrate, once and for all, that the 2016 version of the Republican Party cannot govern:
No Social Security checks; No payments to farmers, affecting the food supply; No Medicare payments, which will force hospitals to close; No payments or services to veterans; Layoff millions of government workers; Layoff millions of government contractors; No payments to universities; Close all military bases; Send Wall Street and the world economy crashing; No licenses or passports; No services that each and every citizen use and NEED in their daily lives.
Let the Republicans have their way, for the long-term good of the country; there is no ransom when the hostage is dead.
20
If government shutdowns were as extreme as that, perhaps they would have a greater impact on public opinion. In 2013, many of the services you list like Social Security, Medicare, military facilities, the VA, and the Federal courts all continued to function. Who lost out in 2013? Poor women and children on the WIC program, people who want healthy food and safe drugs, CDC-sponsored efforts to combat influenza, scientific research, and other "non-essential" government activities. No shutdown for Homeland Security, of course.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/29/us-government-shutdown-serv...
I looked in vain for some polling on how many people reported having experienced personal hardship as a result of the 2013 shutdown. Naturally all the polling focused on which party people blamed. The 2014 election results suggest that the 36% of eligible Americans who bothered to vote in that year were not unhappy about the effects of the shutdown despite most polls saying a majority blamed the Republicans.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/29/us-government-shutdown-serv...
I looked in vain for some polling on how many people reported having experienced personal hardship as a result of the 2013 shutdown. Naturally all the polling focused on which party people blamed. The 2014 election results suggest that the 36% of eligible Americans who bothered to vote in that year were not unhappy about the effects of the shutdown despite most polls saying a majority blamed the Republicans.
The most damaging thing Boehner and his party has done, is the rejection of the truth. Boehner told so many lies to the American people, with the sole intent of gaining political advantage, that the lies took on a life of their own.
Public officials have an obligation to work within the bounds of the truth. Totally misrepresenting the facts for political advantage nullifies the value of facts. Facts truly don't matter.
When reality is replaced with hyperbole driven by blind ideology, the likes of Carly Fiorina and Donald Trump can rise to the top. They don't need facts. They don't need the truth. They will just create their own reality to gain their own advantage.
If reality no longer matters, then people can say anything. If they can say anything, they can do anything, all justified by what they say. The GOP has inflicted severe damage to this nation with slash and burn tactics that place party over country every time. Their constituents think the GOP is fighting for them but they are fighting only for power at their expense. The hyperbole and lies negate the need for the truth. The truth just gets in the way of the quest for power.
This is what Boehner gave us. He thinks he was genuinely fighting for America, while all the while he was hurting the nation he claims to love. That's what happens when the truth no longer matters.
Public officials have an obligation to work within the bounds of the truth. Totally misrepresenting the facts for political advantage nullifies the value of facts. Facts truly don't matter.
When reality is replaced with hyperbole driven by blind ideology, the likes of Carly Fiorina and Donald Trump can rise to the top. They don't need facts. They don't need the truth. They will just create their own reality to gain their own advantage.
If reality no longer matters, then people can say anything. If they can say anything, they can do anything, all justified by what they say. The GOP has inflicted severe damage to this nation with slash and burn tactics that place party over country every time. Their constituents think the GOP is fighting for them but they are fighting only for power at their expense. The hyperbole and lies negate the need for the truth. The truth just gets in the way of the quest for power.
This is what Boehner gave us. He thinks he was genuinely fighting for America, while all the while he was hurting the nation he claims to love. That's what happens when the truth no longer matters.
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"Religious liberty" has become carte blanche to play fast and loose with facts.
I'm really frightened. This produced Nazi Germany in the thirties.
"Totally misrepresenting the facts for political advantage nullifies the value of facts. Facts truly don't matter."
"Totally misrepresenting the facts for political advantage nullifies the value of facts. Facts truly don't matter."
1
Your comment is the best one I've read here so far, and I'm surprised it's not a NYT Pick.
The lies are what makes me feel like I'm drowning in intellectual quicksand. Listening to the constant lies can sometimes make me feel like I've gone insane, that I'm no longer capable of rationally evaluating reality.
It's like termites destroying the skeleton of a house while the walls still look fine: the whole structure of thought is being collectively destroyed from within, and recovery will be difficult if not impossible.
The lies are what makes me feel like I'm drowning in intellectual quicksand. Listening to the constant lies can sometimes make me feel like I've gone insane, that I'm no longer capable of rationally evaluating reality.
It's like termites destroying the skeleton of a house while the walls still look fine: the whole structure of thought is being collectively destroyed from within, and recovery will be difficult if not impossible.
2
Look at the lack of economic growth, now negative after true inflation. Look at the official inflation rate, now zero even though the price of almost everything is going up. Look at Obamacare, touted a success even though there are still roughly the same number uninsured as when we started. Look at unemployment, touted as going down while those counted as not looking for work has skyrocketed. Look at the average wage, declining not increasing. Look at our international standing, Russia now looking like the leader. Look at our national debt, up another $5 trillion under Obama. Look at our annual deficits, ranging from $0.5 trillion to $1.0 trillion a year under Obama.
Read what Paul writes. It is all the fault of the Republicans even though Obama has been in charge for 7 years and had control of both branches of congress when first elected.
By the way, Paul forgot to mention that the housing meltdown which caused the economic crises that Obama inherited all began when Congress decided that all US citizens should own their own home and passed the Dodd-Frank act. They Fannie Mae lowered lending standards and guaranteed mortgages of people who could not afford them.
Oh, I know, Paul says we just didn't spend enough.
Got the picture yet?
Read what Paul writes. It is all the fault of the Republicans even though Obama has been in charge for 7 years and had control of both branches of congress when first elected.
By the way, Paul forgot to mention that the housing meltdown which caused the economic crises that Obama inherited all began when Congress decided that all US citizens should own their own home and passed the Dodd-Frank act. They Fannie Mae lowered lending standards and guaranteed mortgages of people who could not afford them.
Oh, I know, Paul says we just didn't spend enough.
Got the picture yet?
1
Some one needs to draw themselves a time line to get the facts straight but I doubt that would matter.
Dodd-Frank act passed in 2010 well after housing melt-down occurred.
Justice Holmes and Karl are right. I have the wrong act. The Community Reinvestment Act CRA was stiffened in 1995 by the Affordability Housing Mission guidelines by the Clinton Administration. Banks were given quotas for percentage of mortgage loans to low and mid income borrowers and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac went along.
I stand corrected. It was the Clinton Democrats who forced a lowering of housing mortgage loan standards which led to the housing crises.
Ultimately there was plenty of blame go go around between banks, wall street, real estate brokers, house appraisers, house builders, and consumers all of whom knew borrowers were clearly buying houses or refinancing with mortgages they could not afford . However, it all began by the bureaucrats, under the direction of our political leaders who forced lowered loan standards through administrative fiat.
I stand corrected. It was the Clinton Democrats who forced a lowering of housing mortgage loan standards which led to the housing crises.
Ultimately there was plenty of blame go go around between banks, wall street, real estate brokers, house appraisers, house builders, and consumers all of whom knew borrowers were clearly buying houses or refinancing with mortgages they could not afford . However, it all began by the bureaucrats, under the direction of our political leaders who forced lowered loan standards through administrative fiat.
"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering...Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will.” -Yoda
"Kill the Batman." -Joker
We need universal psych education. It makes the madness of the GOP more understandable but also more frightening.
Psychopaths are worst bc they are genetically predisposed & incurable. They eerily never change. They know right from wrong but for them it's a difference w/out distinction: they lack empathy & conscience & fear only domination, so they value only domination/power. They hold contempt for those with empathy/conscience but realize they can manipulate those that do. They know 98% w/ empathy are shocked by their values so they learn to hide it & to read others to determine how they are doing & join institutions like religions as a false demonstration of values. The lack of conscience means they rarely get anxiety so they demonstrate immense confidence which gives them immense charisma. They never get embarrassed/feel shame by past misdeads: they simply explain it away. Void of anxiety they can be quick witted & usually quite smart. The lack of values means they don't care if they destroy civilization as long as they are on top of it.
The GOP base are uninform & easily manipulated w/ negative emotions. This attracts Psychopaths like flies to stink. This has been building since Nixon invented the Southern strategy & Reagan implemented it.
"Kill the Batman." -Joker
We need universal psych education. It makes the madness of the GOP more understandable but also more frightening.
Psychopaths are worst bc they are genetically predisposed & incurable. They eerily never change. They know right from wrong but for them it's a difference w/out distinction: they lack empathy & conscience & fear only domination, so they value only domination/power. They hold contempt for those with empathy/conscience but realize they can manipulate those that do. They know 98% w/ empathy are shocked by their values so they learn to hide it & to read others to determine how they are doing & join institutions like religions as a false demonstration of values. The lack of conscience means they rarely get anxiety so they demonstrate immense confidence which gives them immense charisma. They never get embarrassed/feel shame by past misdeads: they simply explain it away. Void of anxiety they can be quick witted & usually quite smart. The lack of values means they don't care if they destroy civilization as long as they are on top of it.
The GOP base are uninform & easily manipulated w/ negative emotions. This attracts Psychopaths like flies to stink. This has been building since Nixon invented the Southern strategy & Reagan implemented it.
27
The real problem is the GOP is always for concentration of wealth/power. That means they're always for supply side econ policies.
The problem is the economy hit the supply-side saturation point in the late 1990s signaled by the dot.com investment bubble & subsequent lowflation/deflationary recession.
The rational response was demand-side bias policies. But we had a GOP pres (thank you Supreme Court) in GWBush. He pored the coals on supply-side bias policies that even Reagan could only dream of, shifting over $12 trillion from the 99%-demand-side of society to the 1% over a 10 year period ($5 tril in tax cuts alone). When credit ran out the economy imploded. Millions lost their jobs, pushed out of the middle class and GOP/Supply-side was fully discredited.
As the GOP is mainly the party of the rich they've always had a problem getting the numbers to win elections. This is what lead them to the Southern strategy.
With so much loss in credibility for their policies and so many people being effected this problem for the GOP was compounded. How to stay in power/get more when the policies that affect the masses collapse?
The answer: Gerrymandering+pore the coals on lies/confusion/fear/anger, bigotry. Work that requires an absence of conscience, ie Psychopaths
In short: supply side saturation meant GOP policy can't work and can't win them elections.
That means they are only left with lies & neg emotions. forever will it dominate the GOP's destiny, consume the GOP it will.”
The problem is the economy hit the supply-side saturation point in the late 1990s signaled by the dot.com investment bubble & subsequent lowflation/deflationary recession.
The rational response was demand-side bias policies. But we had a GOP pres (thank you Supreme Court) in GWBush. He pored the coals on supply-side bias policies that even Reagan could only dream of, shifting over $12 trillion from the 99%-demand-side of society to the 1% over a 10 year period ($5 tril in tax cuts alone). When credit ran out the economy imploded. Millions lost their jobs, pushed out of the middle class and GOP/Supply-side was fully discredited.
As the GOP is mainly the party of the rich they've always had a problem getting the numbers to win elections. This is what lead them to the Southern strategy.
With so much loss in credibility for their policies and so many people being effected this problem for the GOP was compounded. How to stay in power/get more when the policies that affect the masses collapse?
The answer: Gerrymandering+pore the coals on lies/confusion/fear/anger, bigotry. Work that requires an absence of conscience, ie Psychopaths
In short: supply side saturation meant GOP policy can't work and can't win them elections.
That means they are only left with lies & neg emotions. forever will it dominate the GOP's destiny, consume the GOP it will.”
Boehner's faults are clearly spelled out, but the real issue is that the Republican party is unwilling to control a small minority of its congressional delegation. There are only 30 members in the most extreme right, but the party still cowers at their demands, unable to create a consensus to govern. The fact that the Repubicans continually invoke the Hastert Rule - which says only legislation that a majority of the Republican caucus supports can reach the floor of the House - is what really stifles anything moving forward. And we'll see this week how abandoning that rule allows Congress to easily pass a CR to keep government funded - at least until Dec 11. So while we're condemning Boehner, we shouldn't forget Haster, who created the basis for this Congressional disfunction in the first place.
875
The less-extreme Republican members go along with the radicals because they fear losing a primary. And in fact many who have not been extreme enough have been replaced. The pressure is coming from the extreme Republian voters. We are seeing a better sample of what they want in the way they have supported lunatic Presidential candidates, including several in the last cycle and Trump and Carson in this one.
Let's especially not forget that Dennis Hastert is now under indictment for bank fraud.
May Hastert ponder his destructive influence from a prison cell.
A lot of us believe Boehner and his Republican House Caucus reveled in anger and ignorance; actually its conservative members strongest bond was not a sense of outrage but a mood of comfort! The giddy way conservatives applauded the govt shutdown, their propensity for meaningless reruns of votes going nowhere, their parallel process of make-believe about legislation, their refusal of the corporate sauce of money and perks shows an alienated group seeking to make their marginal status mainstream, growing comfortable in their power to destroy.
Long present in America's politics, this comfort was evident when Jefferson Davis visited Charleston during the Civil War; asked their desire, surrender or fire (to destroy the city!), the gathered crowd chanted, "Ruins! Ruins!" thinking the sacrifice would make them martyrs and heroes. Ego--not ignorance--drives their circular course to destruction--flames are their final goal.
Boehner found himself unable to manage the fire, but he never used all his tools. Now he buys into the standard meme of blame: "false prophets" he calls them; I like Paul's term better: "cockroaches."
True to his tenure, Boehner's resignation will improve nothing; it simply opens the firewall to further the goal of scorched earth. This pitting of opportunity and equality against freedom, the belief that one cancels the other, is in Taney's Dred Scott decision; it posited a citizen class shorn of responsibility, unconcerned with equality, called free.
Long present in America's politics, this comfort was evident when Jefferson Davis visited Charleston during the Civil War; asked their desire, surrender or fire (to destroy the city!), the gathered crowd chanted, "Ruins! Ruins!" thinking the sacrifice would make them martyrs and heroes. Ego--not ignorance--drives their circular course to destruction--flames are their final goal.
Boehner found himself unable to manage the fire, but he never used all his tools. Now he buys into the standard meme of blame: "false prophets" he calls them; I like Paul's term better: "cockroaches."
True to his tenure, Boehner's resignation will improve nothing; it simply opens the firewall to further the goal of scorched earth. This pitting of opportunity and equality against freedom, the belief that one cancels the other, is in Taney's Dred Scott decision; it posited a citizen class shorn of responsibility, unconcerned with equality, called free.
66
And in many ways the same people who changed "ruins, ruins" have been in charge of our government for many years....
1